Give to Gain: How We Build Real Equity Together

This year’s International Women’s Day theme, Give to Gain, invites an important question. What can we actively give to help women gain greater equity in the workplace?

To explore this, we spoke with Elin Åhrberg, Head of People and Culture at Aritco, about the everyday actions that enable women to gain opportunity, confidence and influence in the workplace.

Today, while we are proud of this progress, equality is not defined by a single number. It is shaped by culture, accountability and long-term commitment.

Here are some of the most important things we can give to move equity forward.

Careers unfold alongside life.

For many women and men, the ability to combine professional ambition with family responsibilities goes beyond a mere convenience. It is a condition for long-term growth.

“We have taken a stand at Aritco. We believe that hybrid work is a must for keeping a healthy, sustainable work life over time for all people,” Elin explains.

Flexibility is a strategic choice. It supports performance, retention and well-being. It allows people to contribute fully, without having to choose between career and family.

Equity is built in everyday interactions.

Support does not always come through formal programs. Often, it is visible in collaboration, encouragement and shared ambition.

“In Aritco, there are so many great women,” Elin says. “I’ve never been in a workplace where my female colleagues are giving so much back to other women.”

This culture of support strengthens confidence and builds resilience. It creates an environment where people are not competing for space, but contributing together.

“I think most of us have other women around us to encourage us and make us succeed. That’s a beautiful thing”

Intentions are not enough. Equity requires structure, and equal pay does not happen by assumption. It requires review, correction and commitment.

Over the past year, Aritco has worked to strengthen its internal systems to ensure fairness, transparency and a correct salary setting.

“We implemented a new HR system and worked with payroll mapping to make sure we are paying equally across the same functions,” Elin explains.

Just as Aritco designs products that are built to last, we approach workplace equality with long-term responsibility. Real progress requires consistency.

Leadership does not look one way.

Some leaders are direct and decisive. Others lead through collaboration and reflection. When workplaces value different leadership styles, more women feel empowered to step forward with confidence.

“You can be what you are, and everyone is fine with it, as long as you do your job and you perform,” Elin says.

This culture starts at the top.

“Our CEO, Jonas, is setting the tone. He has his heart in the right place,” she says. “He doesn’t see women and men. He sees the function.”

When leadership is defined by competence and contribution rather than stereotype, workplaces become more inclusive and more effective.

Recognition shapes confidence and opportunity.

This year, Elin received the internal award Leader of the Year. “We have many awards where we recognize each other and give recognition for the good work we’re doing,” she explains.

But individual recognition is part of a broader culture.

Giving visibility means recognizing contributions in meetings, sharing credit openly and highlighting achievements across teams. It means ensuring that ideas are attributed correctly and that performance is acknowledged consistently.

As Elin puts it, “We want to say, do you know what? We see you.”

For a company built on innovation and thoughtful design, diverse perspectives are essential. Visibility helps ensure that those perspectives are heard and valued.

Access shapes careers.

Stretch projects, leadership roles and strategic discussions should be accessible based on potential and capability, not familiarity or assumption. Mentorship and sponsorship are practical ways to expand that access.

“Recruitment and workplace culture matter,” Elin says. “Too often, hiring decisions rely on traditional measures of success that fail to reflect different life experiences. Not everyone has the same access to professional networks or early career opportunities. If companies are serious about equity, they need to look beyond familiar credentials and prestigious internships, and instead prioritize skills, potential and resilience.”

When we give flexibility, support, accountability, space, visibility and opportunity, we gain more than improved representation. We gain stronger collaboration, more thoughtful decision-making and more sustainable growth.

At Aritco, inclusion is part of how we design, how we lead and how we build for the future. This International Women’s Day, Give to Gain is a reminder that equity is not passive. It is created through action.

And when we choose to give with intention, we all gain.