The British Ambassador to China has brought Chinese companies together to discuss greater gender equality within businesses.
The Be Yourself: Pledge for Progress event is the flagship event of the Be Yourself Campaign. Companies pledge to work towards gender equality across the businesses. This includes increasing investment in female leadership training, reviewing the recruitment processes, and allowing for flexible working practices.
Dame Barbara Woodward said at the event: “As the first female British Ambassador to China I want all women in this country to have the same opportunities for promotion as men.
“Companies that are serious about gender equality enjoy faster economic growth and have access to a bigger pool of talent
“So I’m delighted to see so many concrete actions being taken by leading companies to promote gender equal practices in the workplace.”
Ambassador Woodward awarded companies with certificates who made pledges at the event. Amongst those was Qyer which pledged to increase 20% training budget for career and personal development.
Since the campaign launched in 2016 the British Ambassador and British Consulates in China have run nearly 20 events which have encouraged more than 80 British and Chinese organisations to take the pledge.
Last month, The Red Arrows visited the British Consulate in Shenzhen Bay to take part in the pledge.
Alicia Mason, Flight Lieutenant and Engineering Officer, said: “I’m honoured to be invited to support the UK Government’s Be Yourself Campaign in China. All roles in the Red Arrows are open to both men and women, and I’m proud to represent the Red Arrows to talk about our open and diverse culture.”
At one of the campaign’s events in May, four top businesses – Deloitte, Lloyd’s China, Ctrip, TOREAD – pledged to improve gender equality in the workplace as well as encourage other businesses to enforce better practice in the workplace.
Written by Rebecca Henrys
