Commitment
Together for equality
We at KWS are also doing our part to ensure equal rights, justice and inclusion for all genders. Here are two examples of our commitment.
Colleagues around the world send out powerful messages to mark International Women's Day.
A day for empowerment, International Women’s Day is celebrated every year on March 8. It’s a good occasion to take a conscious stand for equal rights and justice – for all genders. From Brazil to Finland to Morocco, female colleagues told us who inspires them and what advice they would give to other women and their younger selves. It’s a powerful reminder of what we can achieve together!
Women Leadership Network
The Women Leadership Network (WLN) also pursues a common mission in the context of equal rights. It enables members to share experience and obtain information and support from speakers and role models inside and outside KWS. “We hope this dialog and participation in some of our events have a positive impact on the personal growth and, in the best case scenario, even the career advancement of some of our female colleagues,” says Gina Wied, Lead of Corporate Communications and one of the founders of the network. Founded in 2021, the network now boasts more than 250 members worldwide.
One of them is Maria del Pilar Silva Chala. As an active member of the network, she is particularly passionate about issues such as equality in business and the economy, diversity and integration. “The members’ different backgrounds allow us to gain insights into the different realities of colleagues around the world,” says Pilar. Members are also encouraged to “look and think outside the box,” and valuable ideas are generated that they would probably not have come up with in their day-to-day work.
Marie Curie, Rosa Parks, mum: colleagues talk about women who inspire them
The WLN organization team started with three members and has now grown to seven. In addition to Gina Wied, Janina Kalinowski, Lena Sohnrey, Katrin Feger, Thaisa Marques Cantele, Sina Barnkothe-Seekamp and Vediha Yalcin are already working on the next keynote speech. Pilar describes the presentations by the leaders as extremely impressive, as they show clear paths for women in management positions: “They speak openly about their personal experiences, defining moments in their careers and how they reached their current position.”
When it comes to the role of men and how they can support women, Pilar notes that most men are already committed to relating as equals. In particular, she emphasizes that open dialog should be encouraged and that “there is room for mistakes on both sides.”
Anyone can become a member
All colleagues, male and female alike, are invited to join the Women Leadership Network. “The meetings are held online, so it’s really easy to take part,” says Pilar. “They’re a great opportunity to get away from your desk for an hour and think about broader issues. I’d encourage everyone to give it a try!”
If you would like to become part of the Women Leadership Network, simply send an e-mail to womenleadership@kws.com. |
© KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA 2025
