OREANDA-NEWS. February 25, 2016 Against the backdrop of Mobile World Congress 2016 (MWC16), SAP executives, customers, partners, and telecommunication industry influencers came together in Barcelona for the second annual SAP Digital Women reception.

The event took place with cocktails and tapas on the evening of February 21 at the Ajoblanca Restaurant on the legendary Calle Tuset.

Speaking to a room of approximately 75 telecommunication and tech professionals, Ingrid-Helen Arnold, SAP CIO, Chief Process Officer and member of the Global Managing Board, discussed the need for more action and less talk on the topic of gender diversity in business. As proof of SAP’s commitment to action, Arnold cited the latest figures on the progress being made in the SAP Board-stated initiative to increase the percentage of women in management to 25 percent by 2017. At SAP women now make up 32.1 percent of the global workforce and the percentage of women in management positions has increased from 18 percent in 2010 to 23.6 percent as of year end 2015. In addition, SAP recently became the first tech company in North America to achieve EDGE (Economic Dividends from Gender Equality) certification.

“I am so proud that it is not just about preaching diversity,” Arnold said of SAP’s measurable progress in meeting its targets. She emphasized the necessity for organizations to demonstrate their commitment to diversity by changing behaviors, creating a positive culture, and providing leadership.

Networking, Fun, and Video

Joining SAP at the reception were the  editors of women’s professional publication Light Reading, which recently launched its Women in Comms initiative to provide networking, mentoring, and support for women in the next-gen communications industry. To capture and record the event, people were asked to participate in brief video interviews to talk about their experiences as women working in the tech field. The final video collage will be made available on YouTube after MWC16.

The reception was organized by members of the SAP Global Business Women’s Network. Through networking events like this, SAP aims to expand opportunities for women in the digital economy with career development, leadership skills, and industry acumen.

More about Diversity and Inclusion at MWC16

People attending MWC16 will have the opportunity to learn more about the status of diversity and inclusion programs in the mobile industry around the world. The GSMA, official host of MWC16, will offer a Connected Women Initiative, plus additional seminars and networking events on topics such as “Accelerating Digital and Financial Inclusion for Women” and “Women Leadership Accelerating the Digital Age.”

The keynote “Mobile is Digital Inclusion” will be given on Wednesday, February 24 at 12:15 local time. You can follow the keynotes live on Mobile World Congress Live TV.