The biggest deficit in terms of gender equality at Ozon lay in our IT department. So we made a decision, along with our key IT leaders, to remove all filters and systemically interview all the women who apply.

In this quote, Maelle Gavet, a business leader and former CEO, addresses the issue of gender equality within the context of her company, Ozon, an e-commerce platform. She acknowledges a significant gender imbalance in the IT department, which was a key area of concern in their efforts to achieve a more equitable workplace. To address this disparity, Gavet and her leadership team decided to implement a proactive strategy to ensure that women applying for positions in the IT department would be given equal opportunity in the hiring process. This decision to remove all filters and systemically interview all women reflects a commitment to overcoming unconscious bias and improving diversity in a traditionally male-dominated field.

Gavet’s statement highlights the importance of intentional action in promoting gender equality within the workplace. By removing filters—which may include biases or traditional hiring criteria that inadvertently disadvantage women—she demonstrates a conscious effort to level the playing field. This approach aligns with broader initiatives in the tech industry, where gender diversity has long been a challenge, particularly in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. Her focus on systematic interviews of female applicants ensures that the recruitment process is not just about filling positions but about recognizing and fostering the talent of women in tech.

Moreover, Gavet’s approach emphasizes that achieving gender equality requires more than just passive acknowledgment of the issue; it requires action and structural changes to ensure that women are not overlooked or excluded from fields where they have historically been underrepresented. The decision to interview all women systematically is a direct response to the need for diversity and a recognition that without such measures, systemic inequalities may continue to persist.

The origin of this quote comes from Maelle Gavet’s leadership and her role in fostering inclusive cultures in the tech industry. As a prominent female executive, she is known for her advocacy of gender equality and her commitment to creating more diverse and inclusive workplaces. This quote reflects her belief in the power of actionable change in driving forward more equitable opportunities for women in technology and other industries where gender disparities are still prevalent.