GMSA takes women further

This August, Women’s Month marks a year since General Motors South Africa (GMSA) launched its Women’s Council – a global GM initiative, to empower female employees through training, mentoring, career information and advice as well as industry and product knowledge.

With an increased focus on career development and progression for females, GMSA has placed women in strategic positions, with 80 percent of management appointments during the past year being female.

In addition, Denise van Huyssteen, communication manager at GM Africa and chairman of the Women’s Council at GMSA, says 14 female employees are currently being mentored by senior company leaders.
   
Van Huyssteen says the key to the success of the Women’s Council can be attributed to the support from top leadership and the fact that programmes are open to both men and women.
   
“We are promoting a work environment focused on diversity and inclusivity by embracing South Africa’s unique cultures as a growth opportunity. We are providing education, forums and tools to strengthen the business acumen of women at GMSA,” she says.
   
There are also plans to develop the Women’s Council further. “Through the Women’s Council we want to empower our female employees and sharpen our focus externally, to the female customer,” Van Huyssteen says.