15 SDG 5 – Gender Equality – Team 15

Team Reflection

Throughout this activity we have had the opportunity to learn about SDG number 5 through our own research and through the inspiring stories provided in the AIM2Flourish. We found all the businesses very enriching but the one in “La Fusée” was particularly interesting, so for this final reflection we will primarily focus on that one.
“La Fusée” is a consulting firm committed to promoting gender equality in the workplace as a measure against sexism. They employ a variety of strategies ranging from audits to specialized gender training, awareness-raising campaigns and communication interventions. Sophie Truchot-Barret, the founder of La Fusée, has been a key figure in this initiative. Her personal dedication to the cause of gender equality is informed by her own experiences of gender discrimination in the workplace. Sophie is a strong advocate for the creation of safe and inclusive work environments for all people, regardless of gender, and has directed her professional career towards achieving this goal. Despite the economic challenges, the company has experienced remarkable growth and aims to expand its services to address other forms of discrimination.
The company distinguishes itself by its original approach to service delivery. Rather than offering generic solutions, “La Fusée” specializes in tailoring its services to the gender-specific challenges faced by each client. This means that they customize their solutions to meet the unique needs of each organization, thus ensuring that the proposals are effective and relevant to each situation.
In addition, the company employs innovative and entertaining training methods to educate both employees and senior management on gender issues. They use humor and interactive tools to make training more engaging and accessible to all participants, even those who might initially show resistance.
Another outstanding aspect of the services offered by “The Fusée” is its participatory approach. The company promotes the active participation of employees and managers in the training sessions, allowing them to be protagonists of their own development and learning. This methodology fosters a sense of responsibility and commitment among participants, which in turn can lead to more lasting behavioral changes in the work environment.
Reflecting deeper on the story of “La Fusée” and its connection to our academic knowledge, we find several intersections with issues of sustainability, accountability, and organizational ethics. The focus on promoting gender equality aligns closely with the principles of social sustainability, emphasizing the importance of creating workplaces that are equitable and inclusive for all individuals. Furthermore, the company’s commitment to tailoring solutions to meet the unique needs of each organization reflects a nuanced understanding of accountability, recognizing that effective solutions must be context-specific and responsive to the diverse challenges faced by different workplaces.
This story reinforces our previous knowledge regarding the importance of integrating social considerations into business practices, particularly within the context of sustainability. It highlights the significant role that businesses can play in advancing social justice and equity, beyond traditional profit-driven objectives. However, it also prompts us to reflect on potential gaps in our current understanding, particularly in terms of the specific strategies and interventions that can be implemented to promote gender equality in the workplace.
The detailed examples provided not only in this story, but in all of them, challenge us to consider the practical implementation of these ideals and the potential barriers that may exist. It encourages us to critically evaluate the role of businesses in addressing social issues and to explore ways in which organizations can effectively navigate and overcome challenges related to gender equality and discrimination.
Overall, all these stories serve as a thought-provoking reminder of the multifaceted nature of sustainability and the importance of considering social dimensions alongside environmental and economic factors. It challenges us to delve deeper into the complexities of organizational practices and to explore innovative approaches to promoting equity and justice within business contexts.

Looking ahead to our future as businesspersons, We can definitely see a connection between this exercise and how we will act. The insights gained from AIM2Flourish have shaped our perspective on the role of businesses in society. We envision ourselves prioritizing sustainability and social responsibility in our decision-making processes, striving to create value not only for shareholders but also for employees, customers, and the community at large.

This exercise has equipped us with practical examples and strategies for integrating sustainability into business operations. For instance, we learned about the importance of inclusivity and social impact which we plan to implement in our future endeavors. Additionally, the emphasis on women empowerment and women leadership and seeing how women are taking over the world in different ways has highlighted the significance of including each and every gender without looking down on anyone towards creating an empowered society.

Individual Reflections

Ana Paula

Participating in this international activity “COIL”, focusing on SDG 5 has been an enlightening and enriching experience for me. Through collaborative efforts with team members from different countries and universities, I feel I gained valuable insights into the diverse ways in which SDG 5 is implemented, particularly in the realms of entrepreneurship and businesses, as evident in the work realized in week 3. Exploring narratives of gender equality from Spain, Kenya, and Ecuador (our home countries) showcased the multifaceted approaches to promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls across different cultural contexts. Furthermore, engaging with the appreciative inquiry process highlighted the strengths and positive contributions of these businesses, highlighting the importance of focusing on what works well in addressing society challenges. Overall, this international activity provided me with learning opportunities specifically about gender equality, it broadened my perspectives, thinking about other cultural backgrounds when thinking about solutions and reinforced my commitment to promoting gender equality.

Ruth

This program has been an eye opener to things happening all around the world and also given a chance of brainstorming on some ideas one could use to come up with solutions to some related problems. It has challenged our perspectives and broadened our understanding of Gender Equality. This experience has also built good friendships virtually through the weekly meetings and discussions. We, as a team have gained a deeper understanding of the multifaceted challenges hindering gender equality globally particularly Spain and Kenya in regards to the SDG we are tackling (SDG 5) through engaging with various sources and discussions. The activity insisted on the role of promoting gender equality in achieving sustainable development and fostering inclusive societies. It also has emphasized on the importance of addressing issues such as gender based violence, barriers to women’s economic participation, unequal access to education and healthcare and discriminatory cultural norms. This has challenged us as a team and left us inspired and committed to at least advocating for meaningful change towards a more equitable world where all individuals, regardless of gender have equal opportunities to thrive and contribute to the society.