Gender Equality as a Major Economic Driver: Insights from the “Women and the Economy” Morning Session at Bercy France is widely recognized as a champion of women’s rights. But women’s actual role in the economy remains a work in progress. On March 13, 2026, the main hall at Bercy brought together policymakers, economic leaders, and activistsfrom… Read more... "‘Women and the Economy’ Morning Session at Bercy"
Gender equality as a major economic driver: insights from the "Women and the Economy" morning session at Bercy
France is widely recognized as a champion of women’s rights. But women’s actual role in the economy remains a work in progress. On March 13, 2026, the main hall at Bercy brought together policymakers, business leaders, and equality advocates united by a shared conviction: gender parity is not merely a matter of justice; it is an economic imperative.
From Rights to Action: Gender Parity as a Driver of Performance
From Roland Lescure to Anne Le Henanff, including Thomas Courbe and Sébastien Martin, a shared conviction emerged during this morning’s discussions: gender equality is not merely a nice-to-have. It is a major economic driver.
The speakers highlighted several key realities:
Digital technology and artificial intelligence must be designed with women in mind—for reasons of both equality and national sovereignty.
Pay transparency and quotas advance equality. This isn’t just an opinion—it’s measurable results.
Women still account for only 29% of the workforce in the industry. This represents a significant pool of untapped talent.
Caution: our progress remains fragile
The morning also served as a wake-up call. The rise of masculinist rhetoric and gender-based cyberviolence are warning signs that cannot be ignored. The progress we’ve made is not guaranteed. We must remain vigilant.
Measure to Transform
At Women For CEO, we believe in the power of collective action, public policy, and corporate engagement to bring about lasting cultural change. To measure is to make visible. And to make visible is to drive progress.
A heartfelt thank you to all the speakers who enriched these discussions, to our community for its wonderful support, and especially to Alice de Maximy, Carole Cercley, and Clémence Armand for brilliantly conceiving and organizing this enriching and inspiring morning.
The afternoon continued this momentum with workshops organized in collaboration with public and private sector networks promoting gender equality—to further the dialogue and develop solutions that advance gender equality.
Always on equal terms.
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