When Marie-Louise Ashworth first arrived to the grand duchy in 2015, she quickly got involved in the international women’s professional group, The Network. “The women who greeted me that very first day became and are still my great friends. We’ve had a connection from that very first day.”
She compares this experience to the networking platform itself: “You walk into a room of strangers, and you leave as friends.”
Among her early events she helped organise was The Network’s 25th anniversary event and now, as she puts the final touches on the 30th anniversary gala, she reflects on her term as president. “It was an honour and pleasure to lead The Network, and I’m very proud of the teams and women I’ve been associated with.”
Four main pillars
The Network, originally launched by four women, now counts around 120 active members (plus more non-active and honourary members). As covid restrictions ease, the organisation has already seen a rise of interest in event participation and membership, and Ashworth notes the eagerness of people wanting to get back out again, network face-to-face, and its 10-month programme this year is already fleshed out.
That’s not to say they didn’t adapt well to digital: just seven days after the first March 2020 lockdown, for example, Ashworth and the team managed to rearrange its annual general meeting to go online.
Their events centre on four pillars: professional development, personal growth, philanthropy and networking. The platform additionally raises awareness on issues women face in the workplace, whether it’s “climbing the corporate ladder or salaries.”
Ashworth points to data on Luxembourg--for example, the latest European Institute for Gender Equality index, which places the grand duchy 9th in the EU (4.4 points above the EU average), but points to “gender inequalities [being] most pronounced in the domain of power”. The report also notes: “Despite improving substantially in the sub-domain of economic decision-making since 2010 (+ 32.3 points), Luxembourg is furthest away from gender equality in this sub-domain.”
As Ashworth puts it, “I find it very, very hard to understand why we are all still struggling. I know many companies are international, but so many are discriminating still against women and are not talking about salaries, are not pushing forward enough women. And if they’re not pushing forward enough women, we can’t expect women to be bold…”
Encouraging men to join the conversation
Even if its statute states that it’s an international professional women’s network, Ashworth says, “we implore men to come to the events. We want to be able to connect with men, giving them a woman’s perspective… we really need to encourage men to be a part of this voice so we can go forward as one voice and strive for equality.”
Among the associations which have been committed to their cause include Men for Inclusion, a non-profit which focuses on connecting men to help accelerate diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
“If we’re not negotiating with the opposite part--like in politics--how can we actually come to some common ground and understanding?” Ashworth wonders. “And that’s what we’ve been trying to achieve, at least over the last five years.”
30th celebration
The Network gala takes place on 5 March, and past presidents and members are expected to be there among the approximately 200 attendees. The nearly sold-out evening will include a bubbly reception, four-course dinner, music and dancing as well as a raffle, the top prize being a unique artwork by Luxembourg-based artist Alex McKell (valued at €1,400). The raffle benefits the charities Think Pink, Femmes en détresse and Dress for Success.
The gala is sponsored by SES, HSBC and Aztec, although a number of other associations are partnering at various levels (including Delano).
Ashworth is looking forward to celebrating in person at the event, catching up with friends and fellow members, which she calls “a tribe of women supporting women”. And, while she doesn’t plan on completely leaving the platform as she passes the role onto president-elect Mariana Florea, Ashworth does admit it will be good to have a “breather, time to assess” her next opportunities thereafter.
Registration for the event closes on Monday; click to register, or contact The Network directly.