The CEO of Axa Italia recently spoke at an event organized by the Axa Agents Union expressing her opinion on topics such as inclusion, female empowerment and equal opportunities.
Chiara Soldano, CEO of AXA Italia, speaks at the Uaa for women event
Inclusion, female empowerment, equal opportunities. These are issues on which Axa is committed globally. But the commitment, not only of the French group, is not enough. We need to do more. Because, he stressed Chiara SoldanoCEO of AXA Italia, «the risk of not being able to bridge gender equality in the world of work is social and economic. Women are paid on average 20% less than men, one in five leaves the job market after maternity, only 33% of businesses are owned by women, 42% of these do not have a personal bank account. All this is alarming and therefore it is important that we act for a clear change which must first of all be cultural”.
Speaking during the event Uaa for women organized a few weeks ago by the Axa Agents Union in MilanSoldano spoke about social and economic risk, pointing out that «if we managed to achieve gender equality by 2050, Italian GDP could grow by 12%».
What to do? In which areas should we act? Work, but also the home-work balance. Soldano remarked how much it is “important and fundamental”for young women, skills, preparation, quality, all factors that must be taken into consideration, «but also openness to new subjects, I’m thinking for example of digital and green…».
The regulatory provisions have contributed to increasing gender equality. Soldano recalled the law which provides for equal distribution (men and women) within the boards of directors of companies. «Despite this, only 2% of women hold the role of CEO. Personally, I am very proud of the role I play, but I don’t want to be a white fly…”.
Chiara Soldano
Axa, as previously reported, has worked hard to ensure equal opportunities at work. «From the point of view of home-work balance»Soldano recalled, «we paid particular attention to women who become mothers: parenting policies, smart working, corporate welfare. We have expanded initiatives in this direction. Axa CEO Thomas Buberl had set complete gender equality in the leadership team as a target to be achieved at group level in 2023. The objective has been achieved, but we cannot stop here. Precisely with reference to the growth of skills we are acting on many fronts, masters, Axa Research Fund, the community of business angels who invest in female start-ups. We are focusing on the new generations, where we find greater awareness and we must be examples for them, developing any path that allows women to decide what they want to do with their life”.
Then the chapter women – insurance agents. The research of the AXA agents union does not highlight positive data. On the contrary. Does Axa have among its objectives that of growing a more female agency network? Do you have any tools in mind to facilitate this? «Actually the real problem is finding insurance agents in general…»Soldano replied. «At Axa we are studying ways to encourage new generations. The training goes in the direction of ensuring the presence of both male and female figures. In my opinion it’s not enough. We should approach the world of universities, make young people understand what the job of an insurer is, what it means to be an agent, we need to promote knowledge of the world of insurance in general. I believe there is a difficulty in understanding what this work is; we must commit ourselves to this, focusing on the fact that the new generations are more courageous…”.
Fabio Sgroi
