Take Up Space, Find Your Purpose: ANZCHAM PH’s Int’l Women’s Day Forum 2025

Women have always struggled with finding their places in society outside of what is expected from them. Since the turn of the century, and from generation to generation, it has always been a challenge for women, girls, and those who identify as women to be heard and find the support they need.
While diversity is a buzzword that we often hear nowadays, true inclusivity goes beyond just acknowledging the challenges faced by women — it requires action, commitment, and systemic change. This forum toward progress was proudly co-presented by KMC Solutions and TelePerformance, two companies that lead efforts in creating opportunities for women in the workplace.
ANZCHAM Philippines also extends its gratitude and thanks to its sponsors, whose contributions helped to make the event a resounding success: Virtua Solutions Outsourcing and GHD as Trailblazer Sponsors; Leighton Contractors Asia and Jobstreet by SEEK as Changemaker Sponsors; ChildFund Philippines as a Catalyst Supporter; Qantas as the Major Raffle Sponsor; and Aristocrat Gaming as the Corporate Giveaway Sponsor.
The Australian-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce (ANZCHAM) Philippines held the International Women’s Day Forum 2025 at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel on Mar. 4, 2025. With its theme “For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment,” ANZCHAM, representatives from various companies, and the ambassadors of Australia and New Zealand to the Philippines aimed to address gender-related issues in the workplace, diversity across different sectors, and a holistic approach to addressing diversity.
The event featured panel discussions from distinguished members of the ANZCHAM and its partner companies, sparking conversations on inclusivity, encouragement, and finding purpose.

The session was formally opened by Her Excellency HK Yu PSM, FCPA, the Ambassador of Australia to the Philippines, sharing the Australian Government’s International Gender Equality Strategy and its 5 key objectives: Work to end sexual and gender-based violence and advance and protect women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights, Pursue gender responsive peace and security efforts, Deliver gender equitable climate action and humanitarian assistance, Promote women’s economic equality and inclusive trade, and Support locally-led approaches to women’s leadership.
She also encouraged the audience to think about the small things they can do to help those affected by gender-related bias and to make their own individual commitments to equality: “The best thing to bring about change is to measure it, is to hold everyone accountable to what they commit to do about actions.”
“Gender equality should mean progress for all,” Her Excellency added.
Identify, Respect, Inspire

Keynote speaker Van Tang, the first female CEO of GHD Asia-Pacific, discussed her experience as a woman working in a male-dominated field and how she has advocated for equality in the workplace, particularly in an industry with few women holding executive positions.
Regarding the difficulties faced when advocating for equality, she stated, “We accomplish more by being uncomfortable,” acknowledging that difficult conversations, including those about women’s health, safety, and needs, must be had to confront these issues.
Van Tang noted that businesses should remain steadfast in their journey to closing the gender gap within their company, while also being mindful of the challenges they face. She ended her speech by saying that these challenges “present a chance for opportunities” to enforce practical solutions for inclusivity and “to test the limits of what is possible.”
Advocating for Equality in the Workplace

Achieving equality in the workplace is more than just a goal that companies should strive for and is more than just closing the gender pay gap — it’s about creating spaces for everyone, including women, to thrive in. Businesses must take active steps to create environments where women are valued, respected, and empowered to lead.
But what does real equality look like? Panelists from GHD, Jobstreet by SEEK, and Leighton Contractors Asia gave a glimpse into their companies’ advocacies and policies to show what they have done.
Lorraine Gomez, Operations Director for GHD, said that there are two things in place: first, career development programs for women, and second, increasing female representation in leadership roles. She also said that companies need to be intentional in their journey to inclusivity and diversity. The only question is, “When we get there, how can we sustain it?”
Dannah Majarocon, Managing Director in Jobstreet by SEEK, said that diversity isn’t just policy; it’s practice. She highlighted how they have removed filters that often create bias (age, gender, etc.) on their recruitment platform and only ask for the competency and skill of applicants.
In terms of measuring how women are thriving in the workplace, Andries Ludik, Operations Manager in the Philippines for Leighton Contractors, said that one way they are ensuring that women in their company are being represented are through their mentoring programs, which make sure that they are being given the proper guidance for their career to thrive.
Empowering Women Across All Sectors

With the turn of the century, more women have been actively entering sectors that have been mainly dominated by men. Whether in STEM, business, politics, or even creative fields, breaking down barriers and bridging gender gaps is more than just representation, it demands sustained action and empowerment.
How have some male-dominated sectors been addressing the issues regularly faced by women in their industries?
Toni Tompar, Executive Vice President of Operations at TelePerformance, said that the company has employed a “surgical approach” in making sure that every employee has a voice, a platform, and an avenue to be able to grow as part of the company and to share their ideas.
TelePerformance has their TP Women initiative, where they seek to address the challenges that women employees face in the workplace and drive positive change from it. Their main objective is to maintain an overall equal gender distribution in their workforce and in management positions, and to increase the proportion of women in governing bodies.
Joel Baculi, the Head of Process and Operations at BHP Shared Services, shared the initiatives that they have employed to make their female workers feel valued. These include having a flexible working arrangement, partnering with companies that customize machinery for women workers, and making the work site comfortable for women.
BHP Shared Services promotes engagement, safety, and productivity in their workforce, with their Inclusion and Diversity Position Statement being proof of their vision, commitment, and contributions to inclusion, equity, and diversity. Their efforts in mitigating gender pay disparities include a “blind reward” process, as well as a continuous analysis of their pay data and an annual gender pay equity review.
Donna Grande, Senior Vice President for People at QBE Grouped Shared Services Center, shared advice for younger women who are starting off their careers. “Number one, own your careers; know what you want and go for it. Number two, seek mentors and allies who are going to help you along the way. Number three, keep learning; be so curious about everything that is going on and seek answers to your questions. And the last is, believe in yourself…Believe in yourself, and you are going to go far.”
QBE Grouped Shared Services Center (GSSC) ensures that their workplace is inclusive through their efforts of measuring a sense of belonging throughout their employees. Their aim is to give everyone an equal sense of belonging.
Sparking Supportive Conversations Towards Diversity

Diversity is more than just numbers or representation — it’s about fostering environments and spaces where every voice is heard and valued. Conversations surrounding gender inclusivity must go beyond surface-level issues and challenge deep-rooted biases in workplaces, communities, and institutions.
For Maya Juwita, Workplace Gender Equality Director of Investing in Women, conversations should start from the education of cultural shifts happening around the globe. “It’s in the way that women are being raised at home. Where ambition should not be your first word, assertive is not in your vocabulary…It’s how these things are being discussed,” she said.
She also pointed out how leaders play an important role in challenging these norms, and how encouragement is important for women.
Dr. Kristine Lor, Deputy Medical Director, Medical Advisor and Coordinating Doctor — Manila Assistance Centre of International SOS, said that pushing clients to support their programs is one way to start conversations.
What they, Bernice Vanguardia at AusTrade and Atty. Kristine Punzalan at ANZ Philippines, agree on is that there should be more policies about women’s biology and mental health, and that women should be given access to solutions.
The panelists also gave advice for women and women leaders, where Bernice Vanguardia said, “Be comfortable about having conversations about gender.”

Her Excellency Dr. Catherine McIntosh, the Ambassador of New Zealand to the Philippines, addressed the audience with a reflection on New Zealand’s efforts and legacy in striving for gender equality. New Zealand was the first country to give women the right to vote, dating back to 1893. The country also continues to drive for gender equity through deliberate policy changes.
Dr. McIntosh also discussed the I-LEAD Project, which aims to foster inclusive development, resilience-building, gender equality, and women’s empowerment for the Maori people and the Indigenous people in the Philippines.
The day concluded with a powerful message from Dr. McIntosh, who recounted a question she received during a talk she gave in an all-girls high school in the Philippines: “How do we take part in global conversation?”
She responded, “You don’t ask for a seat, you take it.”
For more information about the Australian-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce Philippines (ANZCHAM) and its events, visit their website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Get the latest curated content with The Beat Asia's newsletters. Sign up now for a weekly dose of the best stories, events, and deals delivered straight to your inbox. Don't miss out! Click here to subscribe.