Accelerating Action for International Women’s Day at Kiwa

International Women’s Day, which is globally celebrated on March 8, is a movement to recognize and celebrate the achievements of women worldwide and reflect on our ongoing journey toward gender equality.

According to data from the World Economic Forum, at the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158, roughly five generations from now, to reach full gender equality. That’s why this year, the theme of International Women’s Day is ‘Accelerate Action’ — highlighting the urgency of swift and decisive progress toward gender equality. It calls for increased momentum in tackling the systemic barriers and biases that women face in both personal and professional spheres.

As we celebrate this important day, we asked leaders and employees across our global teams the question: How can men contribute effectively to advancing women's development at Kiwa? Their responses highlight a broader perspective — one that goes beyond just men’s roles and focuses on how Kiwa as a whole can create an inclusive and equitable workplace. From addressing unconscious bias and reshaping workplace culture to advocating for diverse hiring and leadership, their insights emphasize the collective responsibility that is needed to drive change:

Creating an inclusive workplace in a male-dominated field

"I think this question is broader — it’s not just about women but everyone, regardless of their identity. How do we, as a company, ensure that Kiwa is an attractive employer for women in a typically male-dominated field like Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC)?

In my experience, we need to actively work on our culture, making it possible and appealing for women to work at Kiwa. This includes rethinking how we write and communicate our job vacancies, which often use overly technical or complex language. Adjusting this approach has helped us attract more female candidates in Sweden. We also set specific targets, such as ensuring that every recruitment process includes at least one female candidate at the interview stage.

Additionally, we must ensure equal opportunities and facilities. For example, when refurbishing our offices, we ensure that changing rooms are available for both men and women, something that wasn’t always the case.

Flexible working conditions are also key — rightly or wrongly, women often still take on more childcare responsibilities, and offering flexibility helps balance this.

Finally, as men, we must courageously speak up when we witness behaviors that do not align with our values. Challenging and changing such behaviors is essential."

-Erik Landgren, Managing Director Business Assurance, Kiwa Sweden

The importance of focusing on the process, not just the outcome

"Highlighting the positive and significant impact of doing things right the first time is crucial. From my perspective, female colleagues often demonstrate a strong commitment — not just to achieving results but to refining the process itself. I firmly believe that focusing on ‘how’ we do things should be the objective rather than just the final result. The outcome is simply a byproduct of the real goal — ensuring quality in how things are done. Women tend to excel in this area, and their contributions should be measured and shared more widely."

-Eduardo Zapater, General Manager, Kiwa LatAm

Kiwa’s culture strongly embraces diversity and inclusion

"In my view, gender or background should never be a factor — I have always promoted the individual with the best competencies for the job. That said, diversity remains crucial. It is shown that diverse teams are more successful because of the range of perspectives they bring to the table. Certain jobs naturally attract more men, while others attract more women. This is why we need to encourage diversity actively. Kiwa’s culture strongly embraces diversity and inclusion, and we must continue to foster this environment."

 -Luc Leroy, CEO of Kiwa

How men can support gender equality in the workplace

"Men can actively advance women's development by supporting and advocating for gender equality. This includes promoting equal opportunities and challenging gender biases in the workplace. Supporting policies such as flexible work arrangements and equal pay initiatives is also vital.

Equally important is listening to and amplifying women's voices, ensuring their perspectives are valued in decision-making. It is scientifically proven that diverse teams make better and faster decisions.

Additionally, men can contribute by fostering a culture of respect and inclusivity where everyone feels safe and valued. Calling out inappropriate behavior and standing against discrimination and harassment are essential steps in creating this culture."

Ilse Vanderlocht, Managing Director Vinçotte 

Fairness, growth, and inclusion are key

"One way we can effectively contribute to advancing women's development at Kiwa is by advocating for equal opportunities. This includes ensuring fairness in recruitment, promotion, and compensation. We can also create an inclusive workplace culture that respects diversity and eliminates gender bias and discrimination.

Supporting women's education and training will help expand their opportunities within Kiwa. Promoting female role models and recognizing successful women will inspire more women to join and grow within the company."

-Tao Ranting, Country Manager, Kiwa China