One day or 365 days?

One day or 365 days??

International Women’s Day is many things. A celebration of women’s achievements, an opportunity to educate and build awareness, and most importantly – a call to action. Not for one day. For 365 days. Because that’s what it takes to move moments to momentum.?

What are we acting for??

This year’s theme is #EmbraceEquity . The goal is to get the world talking about why equal opportunities aren’t enough. I love the quote – “Equality is giving everyone a shoe. Equity is giving everyone a shoe that fits.” People start from different places, so true inclusion and belonging requires equitable action to ensure that everyone has what they need to be successful.?

What does inequity look like??

The theme for the United Nations Observance of International Women’s Day is: “DigitALL:Innovation and technology for gender equality.” Through it, a spotlight is being pulled to the impact of the digital gender gap on widening economic and social inequalities. This includes the importance of protecting the rights of women and girls in digital spaces and addressing online and ICT-facilitated gender-based violence. The need is urgent. In a study of 51 countries, 38% of women had personally experienced online violence.?

Digital inequity also has real consequences to economic growth. The UN Women’s Gender Snapshot 2022 report, women’s exclusion from the digital world has shaved $1 trillion from the gross domestic product of low- and middle-income countries in the last decade—a loss that will grow to $1.5 trillion by 2025 without action.

Move to an Asia view, and women contribute about 36% of Asia’s GDP, which is in line with the global average, but there’s also a wide range with China at ~41% and India at ~20%.

Representation remains important to addressing inequity. In my business – Microsoft SMC Asia – I’m so proud that 37.5% of our workforce are women and 36% of our managers are women. We still have work to do, but we also know with a focus on attracting and retaining women we can make improvements and empower more women and more women leaders in the tech industry.

What will I do?

I’m proud to work at a company like Microsoft that addresses inequity in its strategy, culture and commitments including representation for women and pay equity. If you are interested in the transparent reporting we do on these areas and more, it is available in our 2022 Diversity & Inclusion Report: https://aka.ms/2022-DIReport

Microsoft believes that we will do well when the world around us does well. And we are always asked – how will you use the Microsoft platform to take action and effect change in areas you are passionate about? ?Overall, I agree with UN Women’s statement that: “Bringing women and other marginalized groups into technology results in more creative solutions and has greater potential for innovations that meet women’s needs and promote gender equality.”

So, this is what I will do between now and IWD 2024:

One) Sponsorship and Career Development for Women

This needs to be deliberate and front of mind. I commit to sponsor at least one woman from each country in my SMC Asia team. I will be looking for women who have had less access to these opportunities.?And I have asked my leadership team to sponsor at least two women in their geographies. I will also host in-person career conversations for women when on the ground in-country and one virtual conversation once per quarter.

Two) Support communities in Asia through our non-profit partners?

Every time I’m in country I will include a visit to a not-for-profit that Microsoft is in partnership with that supports local women and is working to address equitable opportunity for women. ?

Three) Advocate for gender equality and equitable opportunities for women?

I commit to facilitating discussions and speaking engagements on these topics with CEO/MDs, Boards and organisational leaders as I meet with customers and partners.

And I would be remiss if I ended my thoughts on IWD 2023 with solely sharing what I will do. The next best question I can ask is: what will you do to #EmbraceEquity in 2023???