Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today hosted an Africa & Indian Ocean Women in Leadership Conference which focused on educating, empowering and mobilizing women within the organization. The initiative forms part of the company’s Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, which aims to appoint its first female general manager in South Africa in the next 18 to 24 months.
Among the distinguished speakers in attendance were the Deputy Minister of Tourism Ms Tokozile Xasa, 14-year-old Filmmaker, Zuriel Oduwole, and CEO of Fly Blue Crane, Siza Mzimela.
Addressing the event attendees, Deputy Minister of Tourism Ms Tokozile Xasa commented that the Department of Tourism strives to create opportunities for women in the tourism sector. She said that despite women making up 70% of the tourism workforce, they are misrepresented in management roles, holding fewer than 40% of all managerial positions and under 20% of general management roles. In addition, women account for only 5-8% of board positions. “As women in leadership – especially in government, we need to continually and actively agitate for the upliftment of women. And that is where our dynamic National Development Plan (NDP) comes into play with the prominent policies and pronouncements that aim to fight poverty, inequality and unemployment.” Deputy Minister Xasa went on to confirm that the department is committed to achieving full gender equality and significantly empowering women by 2023 through the 10 Year Implementation Plan of AU Agenda 2063.
Speaking at the event, Hellen Lebone, regional director, Human Resources, Africa and Indian Ocean, Hilton, said: “Hilton has a commitment to attracting and developing women in the workplace, and or advancing their careers. We have a better chance of advancing the mission of the company if we have a diverse workforce contributing to and driving our company objectives. Hilton’s Team Members work in 104 countries and territories around the world, and women’s empowerment and advancement is a key focus across all operations.”
Lebone has been directly involved with Hilton professional development programs, which aim to train the next generation of leaders and ensure that women are well represented throughout the organisation.
Late in 2016 Hilton in South Africa demonstrated its commitment to the advancement of women through the implementation of its 12-month work integrated internship programme that saw 60 learners, 48 of whom were women, given an opportunity to gain experience in various departments across Hilton’s 5 hotels in the country.
One of the most important messages shared throughout the conference was that equipping women with the right opportunities not only fuels capacities to work but offers more scope for creativity and general satisfaction.
