Closing the gender gap in the world of work is a major challenge for Europe. These young students can help change things. They have one in Prague Leadership workshop Attended is intended to motivate and enable them to strive for higher careers including technology.

Future women leaders

Two young women from opposite ends of Europe – both business leaders of tomorrow:

“I’m interested in sustainability and I want to work for companies that care about the environment”, says 21-year-old Consolata Lausana from Turin, Italy. 23-year-old Olubukola Adebowale popularly known as Bucky for short. She is a native of Kildare, Ireland. She says: “I want to work to ensure that women and people of color have access to everything in society.”

Buki and Consolata are in Prague with 27 other young students from the EU, Western Balkans and Ukraine. She is attending a summer school for women leaders in the digital age organized by tech company Huawei.

“The goal of the Huawei Leadership Program is to equip women with the tools and skills necessary to not only shape the digital revolution, but also lead it.”Berta Herrero Estela, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Huawei EU explains.

The upper floors are still dominated by men

Currently, the European tech scene is dominated by men. Last year, only one in five ICT employees were women. In economics and finance, less than a tenth of the EU’s largest listed companies have a female chair or chief executive.

Technology, business and political leaders were invited to encourage future women decision-makers to bridge the gender gap.

“My take on gender equality is that it’s not as easy as you think.”Meaning Olubukola Adebowale. “If you look at the issue of gender equality, for example, it’s not just women, but women of color, women with disabilities, and beyond.”

Founder and CEO of 50inTech Caroline Ramed says: “Worker loyalty is key. We must work on fair wages, fair career paths and work-family compatibility.”

Climate change, sustainability and energy transition

Climate change, sustainability, energy transition: everything is up for debate for these young women who want to shape the Europe of tomorrow.

Consoletta and the Bucky team have developed a training and networking platform to help SMEs navigate the digital and sustainable world. They presented their idea on stage.

Then Olubukola Adebowale said: “I feel great after the presentation. Speaking in front of an audience is definitely a great tool that serves me well.”

After an intense summer school week: a great farewell time at Troja Castle in Prague. Presented by Bucky and Consolata. It was a win for two women:

“I’m so happy”Olubukola Adebowale said. “It gave me more confidence to take all my ideas and passions and bring them to the younger generation in the future.”

Consolata Lausanne: “I’m eternally grateful and I’m sad it’s over, but I know it’s the start of something great.”