 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
Recognising The Value of Women In Business |
|
BMCC News
|
|
Monday, 08 March 2010 10:02 |
 Today, Monday March 8th, is International Women’s Day. Commemorated by millions of women around the world across many walks of life, the theme for this year is ‘Equal rights, equal opportunities: Progress for all’.
Bold words with admirable intent but are they achievable? In many countries, women still do not have equal rights – even at basic levels – let alone equal opportunities. When it comes to business, there are often stark contrasts in the way women are regarded by the corporate world and the extent to which their contribution is respected. Many organisations are still predominantly male-centric. In spite of this, or perhaps because of it, there is a powerful determination by women and among women to make a difference.
Taking The Helm
In Malaysia, there are many examples of women who have achieved success – climbing the corporate ladder and taking the top positions in a raft of public and private sector organisations. Organisations such as Bank Negara, The Securities Commission, KPJ Healthcare Group, Hong Leong Bank, Kuwait Finance House, SME Corp, Astro, ING Insurance, Melium Group, Microsoft Malaysia, Pavilion KL and many others ……. all of them with women at the helm.
Thousands of other women have forged ahead as entrepreneurs, carving a niche in their own right, taking an idea to market and making a success of it at home and overseas. Other women have made great inroads into improving conditions for women in Malaysian society – be it in education, health, family security or employment opportunity.
Within BMCC’s membership alone, there are many examples of women have built successful careers and businesses.
All of these women can be role models from which others can draw inspiration and motivation to strive for their goals.
More Work To Be Done
That said, and to quote Irene Dorner, former CEO of HSBC Bank here in Malaysia – and the first woman ever to hold such a position – “we are not done yet.”
Barriers do exist and women are still under-represented in business. Much work is still required in areas such as talent development, succession planning, equalisation of salaries, and embracing diversity in the work place – the diversity that women bring to an organisation. Our different perspectives, our different sources of inspiration, our different approaches to achieving the same goals. Diversity that can add tremendous value to business around the world.
Make today the day to start celebrating that diversity.
Amanda Powell
Board Director, BMCC |
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
