The Future of Sustainability #7 - Empowering Women, Transforming Futures
In this episode of The Future of Sustainability, Michael is joined by Aino Försti-Smith, Head of Communications at Bayer Finland and Board Member at UN Women Finland, for a powerful conversation on the strategic importance of women’s health and reproductive rights in shaping more equitable, resilient societies.
Drawing from her dual role in corporate leadership and global advocacy, Aino shares personal insights into what drives her commitment to advancing access to contraception and reproductive health services, especially for women and girls in low- and middle-income countries. She discusses Bayer’s century-long role in women’s health, its goal to reach 100 million women with access to modern contraceptives by 2030, and the deep community engagement required to create lasting impact.
We explore:
- How Bayer’s purpose-driven approach aligns commercial success with global health equity
- The transformational impact of contraception on education, economic opportunity, and gender equality
- The role of local partnerships, education, and destigmatization in driving true access
- Lessons from on-the-ground engagement in Kenya, Egypt, and India
- Why male involvement and cross-sector collaboration are essential for systemic change
- What other companies can do to support women’s health through innovation, investment, and partnerships
This episode is both a call to action and a reminder that behind every statistic is a human life. Aino’s perspective highlights the power of purpose-led communication, long-term commitment, and authentic partnerships to move the needle on one of the most pressing global challenges of our time.
If you’re interested in sustainable development, social innovation, or purpose-driven business, this conversation will leave you inspired and informed.
Listen now to discover how empowering women can transform entire communities and why the future of sustainability must be inclusive, intersectional, and deeply human.
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