ACCA Malaysia Launches Women’s Network
(From left) ACCA Malaysia Advisory Committee deputy president Datuk Lock Peng Kuan, PwC Malaysia’s Consulting Leader and Sustainability & Climate Change Leader Andrew Chan, Merina, Leadpreneur co-founder Jessica Macias, forum moderator Ben Ibrahim, Talent Corporation Berhad Malaysia head of Industry, Talent Partnerships and Solutions Sugunah Verumandy, Chin and ACCA Malaysia head Edward Ling posing for a photo yesterday after the launch of the Women’s Network.
KUCHING: Forty years on from the phrase ‘glass ceiling’ being used to define thwarted careers and ambitions, ACCA is calling for business leaders to show real and measurable progress on diversity and social mobility issues, as it marks International Women’s Day 2018.
The global theme for this year’s event is #pressforprogress, seeking advances on a number of issues from gender pay parity to equality of opportunity. And to mark the occasion, ACCA Malaysia is launching its first Women’s Network, chaired by ACCA’s past-president Datuk Alexandra Chin FCCA.
Commenting on the launch of the Women’s Network, Datuk Alexandra Chin said 2018 is the 40th anniversary of the phrase ‘glass ceiling’ first being used by the business consultant Marilyn Loden.
“It’s clear we still need to push for progress, and this is why we are launching our Women’s Network – to provide a platform for female ACCA members to network, share insights, support and promote career, and discuss issues that matter,” she said in a statement.
“Here in Malaysia, 59 per cent of our members are women and the number continues to grow. The Malaysian government has also acknowledged the importance of the women agenda, having announced 2018 as the Year to Empower Women.”
Thus, with the launch of ACCA Malaysia Women’s Network, Chin was hopeful thatyoung and aspiring female members of ACCA in Malaysia would be able to gain access to senior and successful ACCA members who can mentor them.
ACCA women in Malaysia can now look forward to programmes and networking opportunities specially catered for them, she added.
“Looking forward, if there’s an area where I’d like to see sustained progress, it’s to ensure career ladders breakthrough the glass ceiling for women. We have to take a wider view and seek progress on social mobility – unequal access to opportunities still exist for many women and men.”
The Launch of ACCA Malaysia Women’s Network was graced by British High Commissioner to Malaysia Victoria Treadell and attended by ACCA Council and ACCA Malaysia Advisory Committee members, including President Datuk Merina Abu Tahir.
ACCA Malaysia kick-started the ACCA Malaysia Women’s Network with an inspiring panel session from various panellists in the world of business and government, sharing stories and insights.
“Effective corporate leadership is needed to achieve real and lasting progress. And ACCA believes this can be made through open discussion, transparent reporting and ensuring diversity is an integral part of how we work now and in the future,” Chin concluded.
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