A seat at the table must come with a voice

For Åsa, this time is a moment to pause and reflect, both personally and professionally, on where we stand, how far we have come, and what still needs to change when it comes to gender equality. 

“Privately, International Women’s Day is a moment for me to pause and reflect,” Åsa says. “To review the latest facts, reflect on the status of women in society, to celebrate achievements and acknowledge how women have contributed to positive change and impact over time. But also, to commit to actions to keep equality as a key cornerstone in society.” 

“Professionally, IWD is an opportunity to reflect on the significance of gender equality in leadership and decision making, and to ask uncomfortable but necessary questions. How equal are we really? Whose voices are heard? And how do we actively contribute to a more diverse and equal businesses and society at large?” Åsa continues. 

Why the data still matters  

Several studies* have shown that equal, diverse, and inclusive leadership teams consistently produce better business results. Diverse teams make better, more informed decisions, but still, there are often fewer women in leading positions. Also, today, the global gender pay gap is approximately 20 percent, to women's disadvantages. According to Åsa, these are two of the reasons why it is so important to continue shining a light on inequality. 

But data alone is not enough. Real change happens when diverse perspectives are invited into decision making. 

“Everyone needs a seat at the table,” Åsa emphasises. “And not just a seat, but also a voice that is listened to.” 

Appointing social entrepreneurs through a gender lens 

IKEA Social Entrepreneurship creates accelerators and funding programmes that help social entrepreneurs grow their businesses and make a real difference in society. 

When selecting social entrepreneurs for the accelerator programmes, a gender lens is always applied. Since the start, close to half (48 percent) of the more than 250 social enterprises supported have been founded or led by women founders or co-managing directors. The female social entrepreneurs supported by IKEA Social Entrepreneurship are mostly activate within inclusive employment and circularity, followed by inclusive agriculture and food.  

Business empowering women 

Globally, women-led social enterprises are at a disadvantage, as they receive less financial support from investors. Supporting women entrepreneurs through programmes and funding is not only fair, it’s necessary.  

“Over the years, we have seen powerful examples of what happens when women are given opportunities to get a job or start a business,” Åsa says. “When women from marginalised groups gain access to work or the chance to build a business, something shifts. Women gain self-confidence and pride from contributing their knowledge and skills to society, as well as income to their families. 

Possibility to influence within IKEA 

As Managing Director, Åsa sees leadership as both a responsibility and an opportunity to set the tone in her own team — and to reflect the world we live in. While gender takes center stage on International Women’s Day, she is quick to emphasise that diversity encompasses much more than just one dimension. 

“When recruiting our team, we always consider the team’s composition and which perspectives may be missing, while of course ensuring the right profile for the role. We do not use quotas, but we strive for a team with a diversity of genders, ages, and backgrounds. This goes beyond a sole focus on gender, even though that is, of course, especially important on a day like International Women’s Day.” 

Advice to the next generation 

Åsa firmly believes that everyone can contribute to change, especially to gender equality. To young women at the beginning of their professional journey, she offers simple but powerful advice on how to develop in the workplace or when developing your own business: 

• Build a network of people who bring perspectives or knowledge you don’t have.
• Find a mentor, role model, or thought partner.
• Dare to test — and fail. Every experience teaches you something.
• Listen to both your mind and your heart. You are good enough.
• Dare to be different! 

Empathic leadership is core 

In the end, Åsa believes that equality always comes back to leadership and empathy. 

“Keeping an eye on gender ratio is important,” she says. “But ultimately, it’s about empathetic leadership, about unleashing the potential in every individual, using both capability and capacity, and staying open-minded to people’s potential.” 

When we do that, she believes the impact goes far beyond the workplace.

“That’s how society becomes more equal in many different ways.” 

International Women’s Day reminds us that equality is more than symbols. A seat at the table matters, but it must come with a voice that is heard and able to influence decisions. For Åsa, gender equality is not a one-day conversation, but a daily responsibility in leadership, business, and society. Because when women are given both opportunity and voice, the impact reaches far beyond the workplace—and that is how lasting change is made. 

* Diversity Matters Even More: The Case for Holistic Impact (2023) PDF (McKinsey & Company), Diversity Wins: How Inclusion Matters (2020)