Playing our part for gender equality

Today, we showcase Elena Dragulea and Stefania Mastroeni, IKEA co-workers in Italy who supported social enterprise InVento Innovation Lab. Founded by Giulia Detomati, InVento Lab was one of eleven enterprises in the fifth cohort of the Dela programme, a systems change accelerator co-created by Ashoka and IKEA Social Entrepreneurship. Together, they helped turn a bold idea into a practical tool for change, both inside IKEA and in other companies.
 

Turning ideas into action 

Elena joined the Dela programme in September 2024 as an Experimentation Partner. With a background rooted in structure and planning, she was stepping into a world where things are often less defined. 

“I’m used to planning in advance and having a clear view of the path ahead,” she explains. “Through Dela, I saw how social entrepreneurs act even when outcomes are not fully known.” 

That social entrepreneur mindset of progress over perfection left a mark on her. 

Alongside Stefania, she supported InVento Lab in refining its core idea and shaping it into something tangible: Breaking the Cycle a board game designed to address gender-based violence. What started as a concept gradually became more structured, more coherent, and ready for testing in the real world. 
 

A game that opens conversations 

For Stefania, ED&I Leader at IKEA Italy and a Thought Partner in the programme, the topic was deeply personal. Through her previous work in sustainability, she had already collaborated with local associations focused on preventing gender-based violence. 

“It’s a topic very close to my heart,” she says. 

When the idea emerged to pilot the game within IKEA, both Elena and Stefania immediately saw the potential. “The game was created to help companies to be allies to tackle gender-based violence, which can sometimes be subtle and difficult to identify,” Stefania explains. “Companies are microcosms of society. We have a responsibility.” 

Elena agrees. “Inclusivity and equality are core values at IKEA. It felt like a meaningful place to continue conversations about gender-based violence.” They aligned with HR, who shared their enthusiasm. The pilot involved co-workers from different departments, many of whom were already familiar with the topic through past campaigns and collaborations with anti-violence centres. 

Some might question whether a game is the right format for such a serious subject. Stefania sees it differently. 

“It’s precisely through the playful experience that children (and adults too) establish key concepts and learn social dynamics,” she says. “A game can lower barriers.” 

The reactions from co-workers were thoughtful and engaged. While it didn’t spark a revolution overnight, it did something equally important: it created a safe space to talk about situations that are often complex and uncomfortable. 

“It helped people realise that situations related to gender-based violence are often not black and white,” Elena reflects. “Observation, listening and context matter.” The game also reminded co-workers of practical support systems, such as emergency contacts and help numbers, bringing awareness from theory into everyday life. For Stefania, the biggest confirmation was that even in a workplace already active on the topic, the game still generated new reflections. “You should never look away from gender-based violence,” she says. 

Learning beyond borders 

One of Stefania’s strongest memories from programme occurred during the Dela Summit in Älmhult, where social entrepreneurs and others participating in the the systems change accelerator gathered from around the world. 

“Despite cultural differences and social dynamics, we have common problems,” she says. “And, together we can network to find solutions.” She describes feeling a rare sense of belonging—not just to a company or a country, but “to the world.” 

Elena, too, carries forward a shift in perspective. Witnessing entrepreneurs move forward without certainty changed how she thinks about progress. 

“What I admire most is their strong motivation to create a positive impact on society,” she says. “That mindset is something I will carry with me.” 

Why gender equality matters 

For both women, gender equality is not an abstract principle, it’s deeply personal. 

Elena hopes for a future where equality no longer needs to be discussed. “It doesn’t matter whether someone is a man or a woman,” she says. “We are all on the same level and deserve the same rights, respect and opportunities. Until that day, we keep working.” 

For Stefania, the commitment is intertwined with identity and family. “I am a woman. I am the mother of two young girls entering the workforce. How could I not take care of this dimension?” she says. 

She also emphasises that equality must go beyond gender. True inclusion, she believes, measures the well-being of our societies. 

Rights. Justice. Action. 

This year’s International Women’s Day theme is Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls and calls for more than words. 

Through Dela, through partnership, and through a simple board game tested in a meeting room in Milan, Elena and Stefania show what action can look like inside a company. 

It looks like saying yes to difficult conversations and creating safe spaces, and pulling up a chair, and making sure everyone truly has a seat at the table.