McKinsey research shows that European women will only achieve full employment equality in about 22 years. Although we have progressed in parity in various positions (especially the top ones) over the past years, it is not difficult to see that women are still underrepresented - especially on company boards. New legislation and the EU Gender Balance Directive, which will come into force in July 2026, will probably accelerate progress in this regard. However, it will not solve all the problems women face on a daily basis. I am also referring to socio-cultural challenges, such as combining work and motherhood, seeking harmony and balance or overcoming one's own emotional and psychological barriers.

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We talked about these and many other challenges with inspiring women at a unique Mastercard event that I had the pleasure of hosting. We met in a women's group to listen to each other's stories, share experiences and strengthen each other spiritually and emotionally. Our special guests were Mrs President Jolanta Kwasniewska and PhD Ewa Ruminska Zimny. Together with seven wonderful women experts, we discussed the challenges women face daily at work, in business, and everyday life. It was an incredibly inspiring and uplifting meeting, showing how much we still have to do regarding gender equality.

Parity is not enough. We need concrete measures to help empower women in society and break the deadlock of internal constraints and cultural norms. Our survey this year showed that Polish women, although ambitious and entrepreneurial, have less self-confidence than men and show more fear and uncertainty about their future and career. One in three Polish female respondents who are thinking of opening a business admitted that the biggest obstacle to this goal is a lack of self-confidence. These are challenges that directives, regulations or quotas will not solve. These areas also require many years of work to realise the importance of stereotypes and cultural norms and then break through these limitations.

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For Mastercard, equality and diversity are elements embedded in the DNA of our organisation. For round 30 years, we have been present in Poland and actively support women in business and the labour market. We have also achieved a great deal in this area, and today, we are happy to share our experiences. We have eliminated the pay gap between men and women in similar positions, increased the proportion of women in middle and senior management, created an internal programme to encourage women to take on leadership roles. We have also launched a number of external initiatives aimed at female entrepreneurs, for example, to support them in business and encourage them not to be afraid to ‘reach for more’.

We know that women's mere presence in organisational structures is not enough to achieve equality. This must be followed by real activities that strengthen our voice and open up new opportunities to draw on female potential. And we are ready to be that voice and inspire the next generation of Polish women to take action.

Marta Życińska, CEO of the Polish branch of Mastercard, the most influential woman in the payment industry 2025 according to the cashless.pl ranking.