On International Women’s Day (March 8), six leading Myanmar companies came together to affirm their commitment to achieving equality in their workplaces. FMI, City Mart, KBZ Group, Parami Energy, AYA Bank and Shwe Taung Group have formed a new coalition to push for women’s empowerment in the workplace, saying women’s equal economic participation is key to Myanmar’s economy.
As a way of acknowledging International Women’s Day on March 8, the Business Coalition for Gender Equality (BCGE), in conjunction with the AustraliaMyanmar Chamber of Commerce, hosted a cocktail evening which shone the spotlight on workplace gender equality.
The inaugural Chairwoman of the Coalition is Zarchi Tin, Non-Executive Director of Yoma Bank, Director of Strategic Development at First Myanmar Investment Co. Ltd, and a mentor for Myanmar Women’s Mentoring Network.
Zarchi Tin said, “Although it could be said that I have enough on my plate, when presented with the opportunity to be involved in this initiative, I accepted because I really believe the issue of gender equality affects all of us – and that business, along with government and civil society, has a key role to play in reducing inequalities, tackling poverty, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. With good champions, business leaders with passion, the sharing of best practices and working in partnership with government, civil society and many others, I know we will gather momentum and make an impact”. The coalition is be ing forme d with the support of the Australian Government’s Investing in Women initiative. Australia’s Ambassador to Myanmar, His Excellency Nicholas Coppel, attended BCGE’s International Women’s Day event. “The Australian government has been very supportive of this initiative. The coalition very much appreciates that, and we look forward to a strong collaboration moving forward,” Daw Zarchi Tin said.
“Forming the Business Coalition for Gender Equality is only the first step,” she said. “We look forward to many more dynamic, forward thinking businesses joining the business coalition and working alongside us to advance gender equality in Myanmar”.
BCGE will be an association owned and led by its founding members: FMI, City Mart, KBZ Group, Parami Energy, Aya Bank and Shwe Taung Group. BCGE members commit to agreed gender equality goals, take action to achieve those goals and measure their progress using EDGE (Economic Dividends for Gender Equality).