ForALLWomenAndGirls: RIGHT. EQUALITY. EMPOWERMENT.
On 4 March 2025, the Makati Shangri-La came alive with energy and purpose as over 240 attendees gathered for ANZCham’s International Women’s Day Forum 2025. This year’s forum was proudly co-presented by Teleperformance and KMC Solutions, both of which continue to lead efforts in creating opportunities for women in workplaces.
ANZCham also extends its gratitude to its sponsors, whose contributions helped make the event a resounding success: Virtua Solutions Outsourcing and GHD as Trailblazer Sponsors; Leighton Asia and Jobstreet Philippines as Changemaker Sponsors; and ChildFund Philippines as Catalyst Sponsor.
Setting the stage for the discussions ahead, Amb. HK Yu PSM FCPA (Aust), highlighted Australia’s International Gender Equality Strategy, reinforcing the idea that empowering women is not just a moral imperative but also a key driver of economic and social progress.
Bringing the event to a powerful peak, Van Tang shared her experiences as the first female CEO of GHD Asia-Pacific, navigating a male-dominated industry, reinforcing that businesses have a critical role in closing the gender gap and building a future where women and girls can succeed on their own terms.
The forum’s panel discussions built on each other, tackling key aspects of gender equality. The first explored strategies for increasing female representation in male-dominated fields, highlighting gender-neutral recruitment and tailored PPE. The second emphasized structured approaches, cultural reinforcement, and leadership accountability to sustain progress. Our final panel took a holistic view, addressing mental health, education reforms, and true parental leave, closing with a call for stronger support systems at home and in the community.
After a day of powerful discussions, Amb. Dr Catherine McIntosh delivered the perfect conclusion—one that was a reflection on progress—New Zealand’s legacy as the first country to grant women the right to vote, linking this to deliberate policies that continue to drive gender equity. She concluded with a bold message: “You don’t ask for a seat at the table. You claim it.”
As the discussions concluded, the event had one more exciting highlight in store. Qantas, Major Raffle Sponsor, awarded an incredible roundtrip ticket to Australia—congratulations to J. Funes, the lucky winner of this unforgettable prize!
Adding to the spirit of appreciation and recognition, Aristocrat Gaming, Corporate Giveaway Sponsor, ensured that every attendee left with a special token—a MagSafe power bank—to commemorate the occasion.
Beyond the panels, speeches, and celebrations, IWD was a call to action. The conversations held in that ballroom will ripple far beyond the event itself, inspiring action and commitment toward a future where ALL women and girls can claim their rightful place—not by asking, but by asserting their presence and power.
Happy International Women’s Day!
