How can employers provide a brighter future for women in the cleaning sector?

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9th of May 2016 Article by Dr Ilham Kadri

Dr Ilham Kadri, president of the Diversey Care division at Sealed Air, writes her latest blog for ECJ. Here she discusses the role of women in the cleaning sector, and how employers must work towards promoting gender inclusion and the advancement of female employees within the cleaning industry.

Throughout my career, I have had the pleasure of working for and with companies who value gender inclusion and promote diversity, and have therefore had the freedom as a woman to be innovative, to push boundaries in my work and surprise my customers and colleagues.

Unfortunately the same can't be said for other working women across the globe, especially in the cleaning industry, where it is common for women to enter a low-level cleaning position and be unable to progress.

I have always striven to do my utmost to help women in the workplace; this isn't a throwaway, flippant statement, but something I live by. As vice-president of Diversey Care, I feel that I have a responsibility to use the power I hold for the better.

Globally, there are around 53 million domestic cleaners; an increase of 19 million compared to the mid-1990's. However, what is particularly staggering is that 83 per cent of these cleaners are women, which increases to 90 per cent in countries such as Spain, Chile and Bolivia. Women are often unable to advance from these low level positions, primarily because the majority of these workers are uneducated. A large percentage are also immigrants and face language barriers, an added blockage preventing them from advancing.

However in the cleaning industry, there are plenty of employers who have acknowledged this disparity, and are looking for ways to ensure they promote a gender diverse workplace that advances their employees, regardless of gender.

The ISSA Hygieia Network, which I along with other influential female leaders founded, has provided a network for employers who want to make changes in their workplace. Its purpose is to advance female professionals in the global cleaning community, and is the first network of its kind. Employers who choose to join the network can access programs to reduce illiteracy levels and foster academic achievement, as well as helping employers improve working conditions for immigrants and educating women on the more personal topics such as healthy eating and childcare.

The ISSA Hygieia Network will be hosting an exciting roundtable discussion at this year's ISSA/INTERCLEAN in Amsterdam. This roundtable discussion will provide attendees with the opportunity to learn about what it takes for women to succeed in the often male-dominated cleaning sphere, and will feature a speech from inspirational keynote speaker Penny Mallory.

Being a part of this year's ISSA/INTERCLEAN is incredibly important for the ISSA Hygieia Network, as it provides the network with an even larger platform to encourage employers to put equality and the rights of women at the top of their agenda. I hope that it will inspire them to not only question gender inclusion and the advancement of women in the workplace, but to act on it.

The ISSA Hygieia Network is one of many initiatives which have sprung up in the hopes of advancing women in the workplace. Catalyst, a leading non-profit organisation with a mission to create workplaces where employees representing every level of diversity can thrive, hosts an awards dinner each year, celebrating a number of workplaces. I had the honour of attending the event earlier this year alongside over 1,000 others, including leading executives from top corporations and professional firms.

Ultimately, if you are an employer, ask yourself - are you doing all you can to advance your employees, regardless of gender?