Did you know? In ancient Greece, women were not allowed to participate in the Olympic Games. In fact, they were not even allowed to watch. Today, only 29% of senior management in the US are women, women CEOs are more likely to be fired than men, and a significant gender pay gap still exists. We have come a long way from 6th Century B.C. Greece to women CEOs and board members in 2021. Still, according to the World Economic Forum, most of us will not see gender parity in our lifetime.
This was the premise for Viva’s March Medley event in partnership with SCHSAsia and BritCham China, celebrating 103 years of International Women’s Day. The event featured three phenomenal women speakers – Shang Rong (Communications & Public Affairs VP, Microsoft), Su Cheng Harris-Simpson (Founder & CEO, SCHSAsia), and Zhu Bei (Founder, Venture Education). It took place on March 24th over a 3-course lunch at the beautiful Hotel Eclat with around 20 women professionals in attendance.
Su Cheng kicked things off by sharing her personal and professional journey of over 20 years of commitment to women empowerment in China, leading to her role as the Founder of the Women Empowerment Council today. She concluded by vowing to continue in her efforts to empower all women professionals, entrepreneurs, and organizations in China.
Shang Rong followed with a self-introduction highlighting the challenges women face due to the multiple roles we have to fulfil; encouraging women to connect with and support each other, as well as learn to be selfish about understanding and prioritizing our own needs.
Zhu Bei began with an icebreaker, challenging women to work in pairs to open their partner’s closed fist. She observed how everyone was able to peacefully achieve the desired outcome. This served as a springboard for a stimulating discussion on how well women are able to communicate non-violently, tying in to her point that women’s power is a soft power that should not be underestimated. She ended with a post-it note game, asking everyone to write something they had done for another woman recently.
During the panel discussion, Shang Rong provided strategies for how to break the glass ceiling by advocating for ourselves, using our voices, and asking for what we want. Su Cheng addressed the issue of the double burden that comes down to “time and the choices you have for how you spend your time”. She highlighted the importance of platforms like Viva and the Women’s Economy Summit as vital spaces where women can connect and men can be educated on how to be effective allies. Finally, she emphasized the need for leaders to use their power responsibly in order to make positive, systemic change from the top down. Zhu Bei concluded the panel discussion by sharing how having a daughter makes her want to do more to empower women and girls, and that the key is always exposure.
