Women leaders want more representation in Davos

Sapa- AFP – Mail & Guardian – Wednesday, 30 January 2013 (originally published 26 Jan)

Angela Merkel speaking at World Economic Forum

Germany’s chancellor Angela Merkel speakes during the “Special Address — Building Resilient Institutions” with Klaus Schwab Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum. Image: AFP

One of the most noticeable aspects of the World Economic Forum in Davos, a gathering of the world’s top CEOs, politicians and officials, is the male dominance on the various panels.

Of the 2 500 movers and shakers who have descended on the picture-postcard Swiss ski resort, a mere 17% are women – a discrepancy that organisers tried to address on Friday by holding a top-level panel on gender equality.

While speeches by the likes of Angela Merkel, Germany’s chancellor and Forbes magazine’s world’s most powerful woman, and Christine Lagarde, head of the International Monetary Fund, are highly anticipated, many believe Davos needs more equality . . .

. . . read complete article . . .

_________________________