Gender equality high on agenda at forum

China has become a hot topic - given its economic developments. Yet, for all the economic leeway and advances accomplished by the superpower-to-be, China still faces obstacles, including gender discrimination in the work place.

A study by the National Women's Federation found that 50 per cent of female employees in the country say they face gender discrimination and 72 percent believe they have fewer professional options than their male counterparts. Furthermore, more well-educated women are entering the Chinese workforce than ever before, but there is a still a major retention challenge of mid to high-level female employees in most multinational corporations in the nation.

So what needs to be done? Is the Government doing enough to encourage and retain working female professionals? Proponents of the Government would argue yes. Chen Zhili, vice chairman of China's National People's Congress Standing Committee and president of All-China Women's Federation, said the Chinese Government "has promoted gender equality and encouraged women's development, and as a result, the status of Chinese women has improved." But is this enough?

Asian nations must fully understand the competitive advantage of women's leadership, and develop collaborative opportunities working with women leaders and entrepreneurs. This would be the focus of the inaugural Women In Leadership Forum China that will take place on September 6-7, 2012 in Shanghai and hosted by the leading French business information group, naseba.

With the theme of 'Inspire, Influence and Innovate', the platform compromises of inspirational keynote addresses, interactive panel discussions and extended networking sessions. The presentation of the Women In Leadership China Achievement Awards aims to recognise and reward influential Chinese female leaders for their outstanding achievements, and honor organisations for their female empowerment initiatives.

The forum features high profile speakers including Yang Liu, chairman and chief investor of Atlantis Capital Holdings - referred to as 'female Warren Buffett of China.' It is also hosting Shinta Widjaja Kamdani, owner and managing director of Sintesa Group, listed among 'Asia's Power Businesswomen' by Forbes; Wandee Khunchornyakong, chairman and chief executive officer of SPCG Public Company; and Romi Haan, founder, president and CEO of Haan Corporation - one of the '50 Women to Watch in the World' by The Wall Street Journal.

Joined by a host of Asia's leading lights, they share the best practices and debate what kinds of regulations must get put in place before China begins to realize a shift in attitudes towards working women. Attendees would discuss how organisations can empower, reward and promote their female employees.

Sophie Le Ray, CEO at naseba and founder and initiator of the Women In Leadership series said: "We are honored to have great support from regional and international organisations at the Women In Leadership Forum China. It not only recognises the workforce gender diversity amongst an expanded range of companies in the region - but also showcases its influences in commerce."