Today is 3/8 (Mar 8) - International Women's Day. I look back at the last year and reflect on how much more aware I've become of women's issues and progress in the workplace and in society as a whole. To be honest, out of the 60+ directors and VPs in my department, only 4 are women (including the head SVP, thank gosh) - so 6.7%. Not great at all. You can excuse it on us being in the 'high tech' industry, but honestly its pretty bad at senior levels in finance or any major industry. I was even voted to represent the Hong Kong office in our internal women's network. But most of my colleagues are interested in social activities and not real women's issues (I can't force them, but it is disappointing to see). Additionally per the APEC Women's Summit back in Sept in San Francisco, women's representation on boards, at senior levels in industry and beyond mid-level is declining in mature countries. But it starts in the home and from local culture (in my view). And Hong Kong is far more progressive than other countries - even in North America!
Long story short - we have tons of work to do to progress women to be equal participants in our society and economy. The question is, do we all care enough to even set this as our goal?
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