Stepping up for gender equality

On Oct. 30, 2024, the Australian Ambassador to the Philippines, Her Excellency HK Yu, hosted a Sundowner event at her residence, reaffirming the Australian government’s steadfast support for gender equality and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the Philippine business sector. The event was also attended by Australia’s Ambassador for Gender Equality, Stephanie Copus Campbell, along with CEOs and senior executives from members of the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (PBCWE), an inaugural project of PhilWEN.

The gathering noted that DEI is no longer just an ideal, but is an essential driver of business success. Yet, despite growing awareness, the journey toward true gender equality in the workplace remains unfinished. Achieving this goal requires more than policies and rhetoric; it demands transformative leadership, especially from those in positions of power.

The business case for equality. Gender equality has also become more than a moral imperative; it is a business necessity. Numerous studies have demonstrated that companies with diverse leadership teams are more innovative, resilient, and financially successful. Inclusive organizations attract top talent, foster employee engagement, and enhance their reputation in the marketplace.

Yet, many organizations still struggle to close the gender gap. Women remain underrepresented in senior leadership roles, and issues such as pay inequality, lack of mentorship, and gender biases still persist. This was confirmed by a 2023 study done by the PBCWE and the Census on Women in Executive Leadership Teams in Philippine Publicly Listed Companies. The study shows that only 13 percent of CEOs in publicly listed companies are women.

Another critical message that emerged during the event is that business leaders, especially CEOs and senior executives, must play a more active role in promoting gender equality in the workplace. While DEI is often seen as a women’s issue, it is a responsibility that belongs to everyone. This includes male allies who wield significant influence in shaping organizational culture, making their advocacy pivotal.

Ambassadors Yu and Campbell emphasized that inclusive workplaces don’t happen by chance. They are the result of deliberate leadership decisions and policies that prioritize equity, belonging, and a safe environment for all employees.

Leaders for change. For CEOs seeking to take a leadership role in this space, PBCWE’s Leaders for Change offers a strategic platform. This initiative serves as a collaborative hub for CEOs committed to disrupting prevailing norms surrounding gender equality and DEI, and boasts of members from some of the biggest companies in the Philippines.

The platform’s vision is to nurture diverse and inclusive workplaces where individuals are given the opportunity to achieve their full potential as their authentic self. Its mission is to disrupt the status quo by using leadership influence to drive impactful changes in gender equality, diversity, and inclusion.

By joining Leaders for Change, CEOs become part of a network dedicated to advocating for systemic change within their industries, engaging peers and other leaders to implement impactful DEI strategies in their organizations, and empowering employees to take on leadership roles in initiatives that amplify inclusion, and positively impact both business performance and society.

Call to action for CEOs, senior executives. To CEOs and senior executives reading this: your leadership matters. The fight for gender equality needs champions who are willing to lead by example. By joining platforms like Leaders for Change, you can harness your influence to create workplaces that are not only equitable but also more innovative, productive, and successful. Your support can help break down structural barriers and ensure that diversity and inclusion become integral components of your companies’ DNA.

Leading the way forward. Creating inclusive workplaces is not just about compliance—it’s about building a culture where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute. The road to gender equality may be long, but it is one we must walk together. Business leaders have a unique opportunity to be allies and advocates, using their platforms to create lasting change. By stepping up and joining initiatives like Leaders for Change, they can help build a future where diversity, equity, and inclusion are not just buzzwords but realities in every workplace.

Leadership is about more than just leading—it’s about lifting others as you rise. Let us rise together and make gender equality a cornerstone of Philippine business.

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Celso “JR” Santiago, MPM is program director of the Leaders for Change CEO Platform of PBCWE. He is also a storyteller, an advocate, a former public servant, and a proud husband and dad.

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Women Who Lead is an initiative of PhilWEN.