Business Engage Association, a finalist in the Best Woman category at the prestigious CSI Legacy Awards, has been at the forefront of gender mainstreaming and inclusivity across Africa’s corporate sector. Since its inception in 2005, the organisation has set a standard for promoting gender equality, proving that inclusion is not just a moral imperative but a strategic driver of economic success. Under the leadership of Colleen Larsen, Chief Executive of Business Engage, the organisation has become a beacon of progress for companies and individuals striving for impactful, sustainable change.
Business Engage focuses on advancing gender mainstreaming as a sustainable business strategy. Operating across nine African countries, including South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya, the organisation partners with over 115 corporates to integrate gender equity into workplace policies and practices. Through its extensive network, Business Engage has helped shape corporate environments where gender equality becomes part of everyday business.
A cornerstone of its work is the Africa and Middle East Gender Mainstreaming Awards (GMA), an annual event celebrating organisations and individuals driving gender representation and inclusivity. Initially launched in East, West, and Southern Africa, the awards have now expanded into the Middle East, encouraging private corporations to prioritise women’s representation at all leadership levels. In 2023, the GMAs engaged over 5,800 online attendees and 1,000 in-person participants, underscoring its growing influence.
Complementing the GMAs, Business Engage delivers transformative programmes such as the Board Masterclass Series, Connected Workplace, and the 30% Club campaign, which advocates for a minimum of 30% female representation on corporate boards. These initiatives position Africa as a leader in gender mainstreaming, shaping international benchmarks and showcasing the continent’s success stories.
Being named a finalist for the CSI Legacy Awards highlights Business Engage’s pioneering role in aligning gender mainstreaming with core CSI principles. Its Gender Reporting of JSE-Listed Companies has delivered crucial insights into corporate leadership diversity in South Africa, influencing strategies to help women thrive as leaders and decision-makers.
The organisation’s initiatives such as Voices of Change and LeanIn Circles empower individuals to advocate for gender equality within their organisations, fostering mentorship and leadership development. These efforts create ripple effects, encouraging individuals to challenge the status quo and drive transformative change. The Impact for People platform further showcases the achievements of leaders committed to advancing social progress.
Business Engage’s success stems from its belief that gender mainstreaming extends beyond quotas. It requires businesses and communities to embrace inclusivity as a core principle for sustainable success. Colleen Larsen, with 28 years’ experience in financial services, founded the organisation to foster systemic thinking around gender mainstreaming. “It’s not a women’s issue; it’s a business issue,” she explains, emphasising the strategic importance of gender equality and CSI initiatives.
Business Engage’s impact is reflected in its milestones. Partnering with 115 corporates, many of which have adopted the UN Women’s 7 Principles Toolkit, the organisation drives workplace reforms and embeds gender equity into corporate cultures. By fostering inclusive business practices, it amplifies the transformative power of gender mainstreaming, leading to improved employee morale, higher retention rates, and enhanced profitability for companies implementing inclusive policies.
Business Engage not only recognises excellence but also inspires it, fostering a culture of accountability and innovation across Africa’s corporate sector. Its work highlights how inclusive practices can transform organisations and societies, paving the way for a deliberate, sustainable, and successful future. As a finalist for the CSI Legacy Awards, Business Engage stands as a powerful example of how strategic gender mainstreaming creates lasting economic and social impact.
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