On March 8th, it may seem easy to celebrate women, but is this enough to resolve underlying issues?
According to the Executive MBA Council, in 2021, only 33% of EMBA participants worldwide were women, a slight increase from 30% in 2017. Despite this being the highest percentage ever, achieving gender equality remains a challenge.
USI EMBA is trying to increase female enrollment, despite the various societal factors. ( gender pay gap, family commitments, fear of job loss).
For instance, as household and family duties tend to fall on women, achieving a work-life balance can be difficult for female students, who have the same 24-hour days as their male counterparts.
Furthermore, the cost of EMBA programs is often significant, and the gender pay gap, though reduced, is still an issue in the workplace. As a result, financing an EMBA program can be more challenging for women than men.
In addition, EMBA programs are primarily targeted at executives, and despite a rising number of female executives (19% in Switzerland in 2021), female executives remain a minority.
USI EMBA strives to reach a gender-balanced and diverse class and believes gender diversity is a valuable asset and a reflection of changing society.

Read some of our EMBA women stories:

– Cristina Saporiti, Director of Operation USI EMBA
– Geraldine Becchi, Partnership Development Specialist at United Nations Volunteers
– Annalisa Kern, CFO Tunneltechnik SA
– Melina Schatz,  Sales Trader, PKB Private Bank
– Alessandra Juri Zanolari, Deputy Director Electronics Manufacturing Services