International Women’s Day

In the framework of the International Women’s Day, we talked to four of our female colleagues about the importance of that day and about their personal (working) life as a woman in their respective cultures.

All four agreed that the International Women’s Day is important because of the inequalities between men and women: In a global perspective, there is a need to point out that women are still being disadvantaged in working life. Women also often face the challenge of balancing work and family as soon as they have children. Luckily, things are moving. There are more and more exceptions from old patterns. Companies, partners, and legal regulations that support working moms are increasing.

Here's our insight. Meet four female CHT-colleagues who work in management positions around the world. One remarkable fact: Most of the four women we talked to see their mothers as their great role model: They started working again soon after having started their families and thereby braving the entrenched gender roles. They paved their daughter’s way and pursued on their careers while raising their daughters.

Alice Cao (Brand & Retail Manager at CHT Shanghai)

Do you have any thoughts on International Women's Day in general?

I think that the International Women's Day is important to raise awareness for the equality between men and women. In China there are about 50% women on management levels so much has already changed within the last years – but there is still room for more improvement.

As a woman in your position, have you ever experienced negative reactions or problems with being taken seriously?

Within CHT I am being taken seriously as a woman in my position but outside our company, in an industry mostly dominated by men, I do sometimes experience negative reactions. Mostly men sometimes question my ability and knowledge for I am a woman.

When did you know you wanted to pursue your career?

When I was doing my major studies I first knew that I wanted to come far in my career. That desire has been strengthened when I participated CHT’s Next Generation Leaders Program in 2016. At this event colleagues – men as well as women – shared their experience of pursuing and pushing their career and inspired me to do the same.

Silvia Held-Beller (Global Head of Business Unit Paper Chemicals at CHT Germany)

How was your journey to the position you hold today?

I started working at CHT in 1985. My full-time job was split: I was 50% training officer and the other 50% I worked as a team leader in development and laboratory. After my parental leave, I came back part-time and therefore couldn’t do both jobs anymore. I chose to work in development and laboratory and was able to take back my role as team leader.

How did you manage work and family?

When I had my first child, working even part-time as a mom was not common – but I did it anyway. There were no childcare opportunities for children under three years, so I managed it with the help of my husband and a nanny. Also, my superiors at CHT were supportive of me working part-time as a mom and made it possible for me to work from home, which was not common yet at that time.

Did you experience negative reactions from society because you were pursuing a career while being a mother?

In the 1990s it was common for women to stay in parental leave at least for three years. So, when I decided to go back to work earlier than that I experienced negative reactions: People would claim that I was a bad mother for working again so soon.

Rebecca Nascimento Filizzola (Head of Business Services at CHT Brasil)

How was the journey to the position you hold today?

When I was a little girl I used to do roleplays with my grandfather where I had a restaurant and simultaneously was carrying a baby in my arms – I always knew I wanted to work and have a family. Later on, I became a professional swimmer and as an athlete learned the necessary discipline, I would need having a career as a mother. I started my working life at a diverse company with women in leading positions. I felt inspired by them to move up the career ladder. In general, I have always felt welcomed and valued in the business world.

Have you experienced that people in your working live are treating you differently since you are a mother?

People in my working live have not been treating me differently, no. Only maybe my boss: She told me that I have become an even better professional since I became a mother which made me proud and happy!

What are your goals for the future?

As a working mom in a leading position I feel privileged to be able to inspire other women and I want to give something back to society. Therefore, my goal is to someday mentor girls at universities and schools. I want to share my own experiences and empower them to chase their dreams – whatever they are.

Patricia Bosch (Marketing Manager at CHT Germany)

How do you manage work and family?

I am working full-time as a mother of a two-year-old which can be challenging. But with the ability to work from home, I manage to balance work and family. It also helps that I can work flexible hours: In urgent cases (e.g., sickness) I can spend time with my son during the day or in the afternoon and touch up on work later if necessary.

Which role does your partner play in the upbringing of your child?

My husband is very supportive, and we share the responsibility of raising our son. What makes it difficult sometimes though is the fact that society is not ready yet to have parents split responsibility for children equally: It was a struggle for him to take a longer parental leave than usual and sometimes it is frowned upon when he as the father takes time off work when our son is sick.

Do you experience negative reactions from society because you are pursuing a career while being a mother?

Unfortunately, I have been criticized for being a working mom, especially because I work full-time. People would ask me: If you work full-time, do you even have any time left for your child? I always answer them: Yes, I do and the time left is absolute quality time with my family. I can pursue a career and still be a good mother.

We are grateful to have such great women in our ! Thank you Alice Cao , Silvia Held-Beller , Rebecca Nascimento Filizzola and Patricia Bosch for sharing your insights and stories with us.