Leadership and Corporate Culture: The True Catalysts for Workplace Equity

An International Women’s Day Forum by ABC Banking

Workplace equity cannot be established by mere decree; it is an ongoing construction, built brick by brick through daily behaviours, strategic decisions, and a culture championed by leadership. This was the central theme of a high-level panel discussion hosted by ABC Banking in collaboration with Board of Good, held on Thursday, February 26, at Les Suites by The Docks in Port Louis.

To champion workplace equity, ABC Banking partnered with Board of Good to organise an insightful panel debate, held at Les Suites by The Docks, Port Louis

The event, organised in anticipation of International Women’s Day, featured a dynamic exchange moderated by Jeremy Stockdale, a former banking executive and founder of Ylead, widely recognized for his dedication to inclusive leadership. He was joined by Dr Myriam Blin (Gender Economist and Head of the Charles Telfair Centre), Natacha Emilien (Founder and CEO of Board of Good), and Anju Beni Madhu (Head of Treasury at ABC Banking).

Dismantling Structural Barriers

Moving beyond theory, the discussion delved into concrete scenarios and the lived experiences of the panelists. Dr Myriam Blin opened the dialogue by addressing a persistent global hurdle: the unequal distribution of unpaid labour. She argued that true professional equity is unattainable without a fundamental rebalancing of roles within the home.

Dr Blin identified four critical pillars that require simultaneous action:

• The data gap: A lack of comprehensive national data regarding the female workforce.
• Representation: Continued limited access for women to high-level decision-making bodies.
• Safety: The ongoing challenge of gender-based violence.
• Compensation: The persistent gender pay gap.

Transformation from the Top

Natacha Emilien emphasized that any sustainable shift in mindset must be spearheaded by leadership. Cultural transformation, she noted, begins in the boardroom and during executive meetings before permeating every level of the organisation.

She also called for a shift in how women manage their own career paths, encouraging them to transcend traditional roles and assert their presence in decision-making spaces. Ms Emilien dismissed the outdated “choice” between career and family as a false dichotomy, advocating instead for a modern model where professional ambition and personal well-being coexist and thrive.

Equity as a Daily Practice

For Anju Beni Madhu, equity only gains credibility when it becomes measurable and tangible. She believes equity is forged in the “daily grind” — in how responsibilities are assigned, how evaluation criteria are structured, and how contributions are recognized.

“It is the responsibility of leaders to establish a transparent and level playing field for everyone,” she stated.

She also highlighted her personal commitment to dismantling stereotypes by ensuring that every voice within her team is heard and valued, irrespective of gender.

An Engine for Innovation

Drawing on over 27 years in the banking sector, Jeremy Stockdale shared a vision linking social progress directly to economic success. “A nation progresses through the empowerment of women,” he remarked. “Building equitable work environments is not just a moral imperative; it is a powerful driver of performance and innovation.”

Building on the success of their 2025 initiative, ABC Banking’s collaboration with these industry leaders reaffirms its commitment to fostering diversity, inclusion, and gender equality within the financial sector.

Founded in 2010, ABC Banking has evolved rapidly into a versatile commercial bank serving both local and international markets. The bank operates across four strategic pillars — Personal, Private, Corporate, and Global Banking — and maintains an international presence through representative offices in Hong Kong and Dubai.

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 6 March 2026