Ferrexpo successfully launched the Femunity Women's Leadership School, which can be scaled nationwide
company news
Iron ore company Ferrexpo has introduced the Femunity educational platform for the employees of its enterprises and the residents of the communities where its enterprises are located (Poltava region) to develop leadership skills. The results are so valuable that the platform should be scaled across Ukraine, notes delo.ua.
The Femunity platform emerged as a result of the systematic implementation of inclusiveness and gender equality principles at Ferrexpo enterprises in 2016. By 2020, Femunity was already fulfilling tasks to strengthen women's leadership in the company.
"For three years in a row, women here have been taught confidence, breaking stereotypes, and understanding that they are strong and have equal rights with men for career development and self-realization. Each year, after completing the course, graduates provided feedback to the organizers, noting that incredible changes had occurred in their consciousness — they are now ready to move forward and take on more responsibility," Ferrexpo notes.
The core trainings for the listeners of the educational platform included leadership, career guidance, self-esteem, emotional intelligence, sexual education, diversity and inclusiveness, time management, emotional intelligence, and financial literacy.
"Gender equality is beneficial for business. Men and women have different life experiences, which influence their way of thinking. Innovative solutions can emerge at the intersection of these differences. In addition, striving for gender equality helps reduce the gap in women's representation in production positions. Stereotypically, women often hold administrative positions but do not enter production roles. Ferrexpo's goal is to bridge the gender gap in Ukraine," said the company's diversity and inclusiveness manager Lyubov Kozyura.
According to Ferrexpo Poltava Mining recruiter Olena Kravchenko, Femunity has also opened its doors to boys and men, as "not only women should talk about their rights and inclusiveness." Later, Ferrexpo expanded the program to teenagers (13-17 years old), developing leadership qualities among the children of its employees and youth from the territorial communities of Poltava region in the Femunity Teens school. The organizers do not hide that the project's ambitions go far beyond Horishni Plavni and Poltava region.
It is worth noting that Ferrexpo doubled its net profit in January-June 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 — to $55 million. The company's revenue for 6 months amounted to $549 million, which is 64% higher than the results of January-June 2023. The increase in the indicator was facilitated by the increase in sales volumes, although prices were lower than in the first half of 2023.