Reflets Magazine #155 | Céline Mas (E05): ‘I’ve Been Advocating Women’s Rights for 25 Years’

Reflets Mag #155 devotes a 20-page feature to ESSEC members committed to the cause of gender equality in the business world. Among them is Céline Mas (E05), member of the French High Council for Gender Equality and former President of UN Women in France. You have free access to the article, subscribe to read our upcoming issues!  

‘I’ve Been Advocating Women’s Rights for 25 Years’ Through her career on one hand; she founded two companies, Return for Society, specialised in CSR consulting and assessment, and Love for Livres, devoted to developing soft skills through reading and applied cognitive science, when just 20% of start-up founding teams in France include women. Through her activism on the other hand; her term as President of UN Women in France has just come to an end. ‘Our key areas of focus include the financial independence of women. This is defined as the ability to live on one’s income and to free oneself of any dependence thanks to a professional role.’ This effort is supported by various international measures, including the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women. ‘For our part, we help the most vulnerable and marginalised women to obtain decent jobs, accumulate assets and influence institutions and public policies in their country.’  

This is not her only form of commitment, as she is also a member of the French High Council for Gender Equality. ‘The aim of this body is to set up consultations with civil society and nurture public debate around key policies with regard to women’s rights and equality.’ This role offers her a close-up view of the situation in France. The picture is far from impressive: ‘Despite some progress, the overall wage gap for all working times plateaus at more than 24%, and there are only three women at the head of CAC 40-listed companies.’ To change the game, the High Council for Gender Equality assesses studies on the impact of legislation, collects and publishes analyses, and issues recommendations or opinions to the French Prime Minister. ‘I have personally contributed to two reports; one on feminist diplomacy, and the other on France’s policy commitments regarding the UN’s Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.’ 

She also co-wrote the publication Femmes et politiques [Women and Politics] (published by Ellipse). ‘I realised that access to the political sphere remains difficult for women, given its pre-emption by the codes and customs of men in power. At the current rate, it will take 130 years to achieve equality in the highest public echelons. Right now, the proportion of women among the world’s parliaments is limited to 26.9%! This figure does not just reveal an outrageous injustice, it also indicates a serious failure on the part of democracy, when half of humanity is not represented by decision-making bodies.’ 

Published in Reflets Magazine #155. Read the issue exceptionally in free access. Subscribe to read our upcoming issues! 

Interview by Louis Armengaud Wurmser (E10), Content Manager at ESSEC Alumni

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