The Deputy Mayor of Nice, Maty Diouf, provided an update on the role of women in entrepreneurship during the Women’s Rights Days held in Nice.
Maty Diouf has been delegated to the Fight against Discrimination, Women’s Rights, Humanitarian Actions, and International Solidarity in the municipal government of Christian Estrosi since 2008. Due to the Women’s Rights Days held in Nice, the Deputy Mayor, Maty Diouf, provided an update on the evolution of women’s roles in the business world.
These Women’s Rights Days were specifically dedicated to showcasing the strength of women in entrepreneurship. On Wednesday, March 6, 2024, a conference on the Women TechEU program took place. It is a European new technology innovation program dedicated to female entrepreneurs. The goal is to support deep-tech startups that are founded and led by women, at a startup stage by offering grants of 75,000 euros as well as coaching internships.
How do you view the evolution of the role of women in the business world?
“There is a definite evolution, there is progress, and these Women’s Days also allow us to acknowledge it, but also to observe the persistent challenges. There is slow progress, but there is progress nonetheless. That is why such events are meaningful, to be able to discuss women and International Women’s Rights Days, as we don’t celebrate just one Women’s Day but several to allow for a broad spectrum, whether in sports, entrepreneurship, health… The important thing for us is to talk about women and to honor them.”
What do you currently see for women who are entrepreneurs? Is it evolving well?
“Yes, they are evolving very well, fortunately. Why are they evolving well? Because they face challenges, obstacles, and the ‘Women of Resilience’ award symbolizes the strength of women to bounce back and persist. The Mayor of Nice has already reminded us by saying ‘Don’t give up.’ There are no limits that women can have except for the barriers they create and impose on themselves.”
The “menstrual leave” is currently being debated, do you think it could create an obstacle in the business world for women?
“You know, before that, women have come a long way, there are also great pioneering women to be inspired by, who have fought for the right to control their bodies. And at a time when we realize that abortion has just been enshrined in the French Constitution, it bodes well for many things, there are numerous laws that are not enforced, that need strengthening, and that need improvement. But women don’t stop there; if they really want to create and embark on something, there are no limits to their desires and strengths.”
You have mentioned the opening of a women’s house by 2026…
“Yes, it’s a cherished wish I’ve held since I was elected, so since 2008. I think it’s important to have a house, a dedicated space for women where issues of women’s solidarity, benevolence, and strength can be discussed. But also to pool talents to support them because there are those who don’t dare, who don’t believe in themselves. And the idea of having a women’s house is to create a holistic space where we can talk about women’s mental load and support them in their entrepreneurship projects, to back them. And you know that when women are together, they are invincible! That’s what we want to show here in Nice!”
So, you are still discussing the project?
“Indeed, we are working on it, we are gathering active forces. We are talking about a women’s house with partners, whether institutional, health-related… we are in discussions with the CHU, which will be attached to this women’s house because the health journey is an important notion. In any case, we are working on it, and I hope that before 2026, we will have the opportunity to present to you the first holistic version of a women’s house in France, here in Nice!”
