A Special Celebration for International Woman's Day by Citi

I have attended many Woman International Day celebration dinners but this one is really special. 

 The evening’s celebration was elevated further from honouring woman to incorporate the bigger agenda of driving progress and building a sustainable world – topics that are very much close to the hearts of woman. An all ladies panel comprising of woman whom made significant contributions to the sustainability agenda in Singapore – Dr. Amy Khor, Jacqui Hockings (Forbes Under 30 list), Dr. Lee Hui Mien; Elaine Tan, Wendy Lai moderated by Rashmi Dalai in a highly engaging and passionate discussion. 

 I commend the events team, who took special efforts to increase the room’s temperature by 1 degree Celsius, putting together an all-woman chef to prepare the evening’s delectable cuisine, dimmed the ballroom lighting at 75% level, ensure zero use of plastics and provided guest with very thoughtful gifts of cacti – all in demonstration of the green agenda. While there are programs for collective actions, we cannot under-estimate the power of an individual’s daily action.   

It was heartening to hear in Amol Gupte’s speech, Citi’s progress report in gender diversity and sustainability:

• Citi’s leadership team has 26% woman and Consumer Business Group in Singapore boost a 43% woman representation.
• As part of the sustainability agenda, Citi announces their commitment for the pursuit of US$100billion in green financing in the next decade. 
• Demonstrating Citi’s commitment for climate action, Citi to be 100% powered by renewable energy by 2020, with presence in 98 countries and doing businesses in more than 160 countries this will be substantial contribution to global climate change agenda. Excited to know here in Singapore, Citi is building an edible rooftop garden in its Changi Business Park facility, harvest rain water in its facility and dedicated 2018 for Climate actions. 

 Dr. Amy Khor shared Singapore’s commitment to sustainability and how Singapore demonstrated gender equality loudly with the appointment of our first female President. She urged organizations to follow Citi’s great example to continue to embrace woman for C-suite positions and applauded Citi’s leadership for their global commitment on climate change, gender parity and sustainability as corporate culture. She is especially hearten to hear the high percentage of women representation in Citi Singapore CBG business and reminded everyone with the Chinese saying “女人能顶半边天 ”，”a woman can hold up half the sky”, can certainly do more in the marketplace. 

There is also a notable mention that men account for 70% of the hiring decisions so having men embrace the gender diversity agenda is key, happy to see organizations like #HeforShe chapter in Singapore powered by men pushing agenda for woman parity in workplace!

Very thankful to @Vikram Subrahmanyam, Paul Maccarroll, Meggy, @Dhana, @Eduardo Miszputen, Susan Kwek for the invitation and lovely evening, it certainly evoke many emotions and a greater appreciation for gender parity and sustainability!

#InternationalWomanDay #PressforProgress #HeforShe #CitiSustainability #Greenfinancing