As we celebrate women globally this month, I reflect on the deep impact that diversity and inclusion have had on my career, our organization at AXA Mansard, and the broader business environment. As I ponder on these topics and my experience leading an organization that values diversity, equity, inclusion, and belongingness, one thing is clear: Accelerating action for women is no longer just a moral imperative; it is a strategic advantage that can drive unparalleled success for businesses.
Raising through the corporate ladder, I saw firsthand the challenges women face in the workplace. One of the biggest challenges was breaking through unconscious biases. I have also learnt that these biases are not peculiar to women. Younger talents face barriers with older ones, older talents are assumed to be old-school and rigid, physical disabilities deprive people of opportunities, and the list of these imbalances goes on.
So, as I grow in my career, I focus more on the root causes of these biases and do what I can to dispel them. Thankfully, I work in an organization like AXA Mansard that is sensitive to these disparities, so it is easier to drive an all-inclusive, equitable workplace that makes everyone feel that they are part of something bigger.
So, women, men, young, old, parents, single, or physically challenged, we all come to AXA Mansard daily for one purpose: “acting for human progress by protecting what matters.” In actualizing this purpose, we believe no one is better than another; everyone of us just has unique roles. We are not driving progress for men or women; we are working to bring about human progress. Therefore, if human beings are diverse, true progress for them has to be driven by a diverse organization.
So, while this month is about women specifically, business leaders must seize the opportunity to address all forms of discrimination that create imbalances in our workplaces. We must commit to removing these obstacles and creating a workplace where everyone’s uniqueness can find full expression.
One way to do this is to commit to diversity beyond politics. We must work to embed it in the organizational culture and ensure it is reflected in our policies.
At AXA Mansard, we believe that an organization must reflect the diversity of the customers it serves. This is at the heart of our program and how our diverse teams drive better innovation and performance. We have seen the results in our business and the lives of our employees. This clear business and societal impact on organizational success once again presents the reasons for accelerating action.
According to a 2021 KPMG report, women make up only 24% of directors and 3% of Chief Executive Officers of the top 30 capitalized companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. While we can view this disparity as the enormity of the existing gaps, we can also see it as a highlight of the untapped potential of women in leadership roles. It shows room for accelerating action, which is why we must all prioritize gender inclusion, knowing that it is not just an ethical responsibility but an economic imperative.
There is a saying that no one can back a child better than her parents. Suffice that to say that no business can create solutions for a diverse society better than a diverse company. The better the diversity in an organization, the better it can serve its customers and the more it can create value for its stakeholders.
One of the reasons we will remain the most innovative insurance company in Nigeria is our diversity. We have created solutions for every market segment, leveraging our diversity. For example, the mix of tech, technical, and up-and-low market skills drives our inclusion products. Today, we provide healthcare insurance for over 1.5 million low-income Nigerians who could have been deprived of quality healthcare if we hadn’t had such a diverse mix of market skills. On the other hand, a good number of these 1.5 million are also buying insurance for the first time. In a market like ours, where low insurance penetration keeps everyone up at night, you can see how a single solution we have created is solving market, industry, personal, and business problems. That’s the ripple effect that diversity brings to business.
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected in our policies and practices. For example, we have implemented initiatives to support women’s advancement into leadership roles, including mentorship programs, flexible work arrangements, and equal pay policies. These efforts have positioned us as an employer of choice and a customer-first company. You too can benefit from the ethical, business, and societal value of building a truly diverse work environment.
As we celebrate International Women’s Month, it is time for business leaders to accelerate action for women and drive inclusion for all.
