Selected Women s Organizations in Latin America and Asia-Pacific Countries

Selected Women s Organizations in Latin America and Asia-Pacific Countries

Women represent roughly 35 percent of the global workforce, but on average, hold about 24 percent of senior management positions and 14 percent of CEO positions globally, according to the 2013 Grant Thornton International Business Report, Women in Senior Management: Setting the Stage for Growth. Women hold 21 percent of senior management positions in North America, 23 precent in Latin America, seven percent in Japan, 22 percent in Australia; and 32 percent in the South East Asian region. China has experienced a dramatic increase in the percentage of women in senior management, with 51 percent of women holding these positions. 1 For this report, Catalyst, Inc. is used as the key example for organizations that provide support for and information on women and the workplace. It is a United States-based nonprofit membership organization that provides reasearch, information, and advice about working women. Catalyst has the reputation of being a leading organization that addresses opportunities for women and business. The organization has expanded its outreach to include partnerships and affiliates with like-minded organizations in Europe, India, Japan, Australia, and South Africa. Ellen Parlapiano, Catalyst s communications manager, explained in an email exchange that the organization does not have any partners in Latin America. We are not in Latin America at the moment... And we know of no one there doing what we do.. 2 Extensive online searches by Diversity Best Practices for organizations similar to Catalyst confirmed Parlapiano s assessment. Few organizations were found that provided all the services that Catalyst offers. Those referenced in this report provide some of the services provided by Catalyst, such as research, leadership development, networking, mentoring, or other supports. Additionally, many women s organizations address issues beyond the topic of the advancement women in the workplace and may work on behalf of other gender issues such as violence against women, maternal health, female poverty, and pay equity. The organizations featured in this report were selected because they provide training, leadership development, networking, mentoring, or research services that addressed women s issues. Catalyst Partners and Affiliates in Australia and Japan Catalyst works with several organizations that support women s employment in Australia and Japan. In Australia, Catalyst partners with the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA), a government agency that tracks the advancement of women in the workplace, to co-produce the annual Australian Census of Women in Leadership. The agency administers Australia s Workplace Gender Equality Act of 2012 and works with employers in providing training, sharing research, and offering assistance in advancing women. The issues WGEA addresses include pay equity, women 2 P age Copyright 2013 by Diversity Best Practices. All rights reserved.

in management and on boards, flexible work arrangements, gender equality practices, and legislative requirements. 3 Catalyst also works with the Diversity Council Australia (DCA), an independent not-for-profit that consults with businesses in Australia. It provides diversity research and information on best practices to its 180 member organizations. The DCA focuses on leading the diversity discussion, delivering diversity resources and services to members, and advises companies on the practice and strategy of diversity issues, including the advancement of women. It offers workshops, conferences and industry forums, teleconferences, and networking events to increase the public s awareness of gender equality issues. 4 The Japan Women s Innovative Network (J-WIN) is a sister organization to Catalyst, with an emphasis on the advancement of women in the Japanese workplace. J-WIN is a nonprofit corporate membership organization with 88 members. The organization uses a two-pronged approach to support the advancement of women in the workplace. One track, Action on Organization, focuses on changing the corporate climate to promote workforce diversity. The other track, Action on Women, provides women with leadership training and development. J-WIN offers a wide range of services to it corporate members, including seminars and consulting services. Its J-WIN Diversity Award recognizes companies for notable efforts in the advancement of women. The organization also offers a two-year leadership and career development program, mentoring and networking programs, and support for women who have reached senior management or board membership levels. 5 International Organizations Promoting the Advancement of Women in the Workforce Our research found several international organizations that promote the advancement of women. Along with their global scope, these organizations also provide support to women in Latin America and Asia-Pacific (APAC) countries. The International Alliance for Women: Women s Leadership Network (TIAW) The Women s Leadership Network works to advance women into leadership positions by connecting women across the world with business leaders, government officials, and women s organizations. It helps women prepare for senior leadership or board service by connecting them to appropriate executive-level search firms or board-nominating committees. 6 3 P age Copyright 2013 by Diversity Best Practices. All rights reserved.

TIAW partners with the Australian Education and Leadership Centre Pty Ltd (AELC). The AELC provides education programs, networking, and mentoring to develop women s leadership skills with the goal of enabling them to reach higher levels of management in their areas of business or discipline. 7 The Asociación de Empresarias y Profesionales de Panamá (Association of Business and Professionals in Panama). This Association is a member of the TIAW network in Panama and promotes the advancement of women entrepreneurs and professionals. It offers training and leadership development with a focus on women at the early career stage, development of microenterprises, and the improvement of the status of women. 8 In Nicaragua, TIAW works with the Congreso Permanente De Mujeres Empresarias de Nicaragua (CPMEN). This organization works with women business owners and professionals in strengthening business relationships and advocating for women s issues in the private sector and general society. 9 International Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPW International) The International Federation of Business and Professional Women is a network of business and professional women with affiliates in 95 countries on five continents. In Latin America, BPW has clubs in Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Panama, Costa Rica, and El Salvador. Working closely with various agencies of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, European Women s Lobby and UNIFEM, BPW members advocate on a global level for policies concerning women. In Latin America, BPW offers members local, regional, and international networking opportunities, workshops, and mentoring programs. Its six-month mentoring program formally pairs senior level members with members who want to enhance their leadership skills and development. 11 In the APAC region, BPW has more than 4,000 members in 23 countries, including Taiwan, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Cambodia, South Korea, Singapore, and China (Hong Kong). BPW members in this region have opportunities for networking, mentoring, and leadership development. BPW in the APAC region holds regional and international conferences on women s issues and honors individuals and companies for efforts promoting women in the workforce. The strategic focus for 2011 to 2014 is women in the economy and women in leadership, power and decision-making roles. 12 4 P age Copyright 2013 by Diversity Best Practices. All rights reserved.

International Women s Forum (IWF) The International Women s Forum is an invitation-only organization that lists as its members some of the world s prominent women. Founded in 1982, the 5,000 IWF members come from 26 countries, including Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, China (Hong Kong), Mexico, Philippines, Singapore, and Venezuela. The organization provides specific programs on leadership and executive development with the goal of advancing opportunities for women in leadership. It holds executive development roundtables and offers corporate seminars that assist organizations in developing women s executive leadership. In December 2012, the IWF held its first executive development roundtable in Brazil, where 70 potential women leaders attended. 13 According to Rebecca Burkhart, IWF s coordinator for development and external affairs, the executive roundtable was designed for the participants to hold open discussions on the barriers to advancement facing Brazilian women and to support women in the workplace. Hosted by Walmart Brazil, participants were from companies and organizations in Brazil, including women from Walmart. One of the results of the roundtable is that we re working on developing a Forum in Brazil, said Burkhart. While the IWF has forums (chapters) in other Latin American countries, we do not currently have one in Brazil. We re working to change that, she said. 14 Latin American Women s Organizations Foundation for Studies and Research on Women (Fundación para Estudio e Investigación de la Mujer) (FEIM) The Foundation for Studies and Research on Women (FEIM) is a non-governmental nonprofit organization that specializes in gender issues and develops research, training, and advocacy efforts to improve the social, labor, economic, family, and health conditions of women in Argentina and the region. Its sister organization, Federation of Women Municipalists of Latin America and the Caribbean (FEMUM/Latin America and Caribbean), operates in Ecuador as a network of women in local governments from 11 countries across the region. 15 International Professional Women s Association (IPWA) The International Professional Women s Association (IPWA) is based in Chile and is a nonprofit organization of English-speaking women who live and work in Latin America. The organization works to build an international network of professional women, provide networking opportunities for members, and host business forums and workshops designed to advance its members business, 5 P age Copyright 2013 by Diversity Best Practices. All rights reserved.

professional, and cultural skills. Many IPWA members hold professional and leadership positions for international and local companies operating in the region, such as Deloitte, the Chilean Economic Development Agency, and the Youth Coalition for Sexual and Reproductive Rights, a Canadian based international youth organization. 16 Asia-Pacific (APAC) Women s Organizations Korean Women Entrepreneurs Association The Korean Women Entrepreneurs Association helps develop the management skills of women business owners by offering networking opportunities, information on expanding markets, and promoting the advancement of women entrepreneurs. 18 Taiwanese Women s Entrepreneurs Association With 24 chapters in Taiwan, the Taiwanese Women s Entrepreneurs Association (TWEA) has more than 1500 members who are high potential leaders in their companies and industries. In partnership with the Global Federation of Chinese Business Women, TWEA helped establish the Global Federation s 15 international chapters. 19 Singapore Council of Women s Organizations The Singapore Council of Women s Organizations is a federation of women s organizations that connects women leaders throughout the country. It serves as a resource center for information about women and the family, conducts research on gender issues, and provides training to its member organizations that advance women s issues. Among the issues addressed by SCWO are the status of women in education, economics, social welfare, culture, and community involvement. SCWO initiatives include Women s Register and BoardAgender. Women s Register is a formal networking, mentoring, and education initiative that develops future women leaders. BoardAgender is an initiative to get more women involved on corporate boards and to promote the benefits of gender-balanced business. 20 Chinese Association of Women Entrepreneurs (CAWE) The Chinese Association of Women Entrepreneurs (CAWE) is recognized by the People s Republic of China s Ministry of Civil Affairs as a coalition of women entrepreneurs. Its membership is comprised of nearly 60 associations of women business owners across the country and includes tens of thousands of individual members who are entrepreneurs and senior managers. CAWE connects women business owners, fosters networking, provides business and leadership training for its members, encourages women s participation in international conferences, and expands 6 P age Copyright 2013 by Diversity Best Practices. All rights reserved.

women s business owners efforts in the global marketplace. The China Women Entrepreneur Research and Consulting Center operates under the CAWE. The Research Consulting Center conducts surveys and research on gender issues affecting business development and creation. 21 Conclusion As greater numbers of women enter the global workforce and move up the ranks, including in Latin America and APAC countries, they will undoubtedly bring with them the aspirations and ambitions that are taken for granted from their male colleagues. Organizations whether they are sponsored by the government, corporations, or are independent are playing a role in providing women with the training, networking, and mentoring that have been proven to advance women and their issues in the workplace and in society at large. Endnotes 1 Women in Senior Management: Setting the Stage for Growth, Grant Thornton International Business Report, 2013. http://www.internationalbusinessreport.com/files/ibr2013_wib_report_final.pdf 2 Ellen Parlapiano, manager of communications, Catalyst, Inc., Email correspondence, April 24, 2013. 3 Workplace Geneder Equality Agency website, last accessed April 23, 2013. http://www.wgea.gov.au/about-wgea/aboutagency 4 Diversity Council Australia website, last accessed April 16, 2013. http://www.dca.org.au/#&panel1-1 5 Japan Women s Innovative Network website, last accessed April 16, 2013. http://www.j-win.jp/guide/aboutjwin-e.pdf 6 The International Alliance for Women website, last accessed April 16, 2013. http://www.tiaw.org/?page=women_leadership 7 Australian Education and Leadership Centre Pty Ltd website, last accessed April 24, 2013 http://www.aelc.edu.au/ 8 The International Alliance for Women website, last accessed April 16, 2013 http://www.tiaw.org/?page=member_networks 9 Congreso Permanente De Mujeres Empresarias De Nicaragua website, last accessed April 16, 2013. http://www.tiaw.org/?page=member_networks 11 International Federation of Business and Professional Women website, last accessed April 24, 2013. http://www.bpwinternational.org/acerca-de-bpw-latin-america 12 Business and Professional Women Asia/Pacific website, last accessed April 24, 2013. http://www.bpwinternational.org/asia-pacific 13 International Women s Forum website, last accessed April 26, 2013. http://iwforum.org/about-us/overview/ 14 Rebecca Burkhart, coordinator for development and external affairs, International Women s Forum, telephone interview on April 29, 2013. 15 The Foundation for Studies and Research on Women website, last accessed April 26, 2013. http://www.gearcampaign.org/latin_america.shtml 16 International Professional Women s Association website, last accessed April 16, 2013 http://ipwasantiago.org/wp/?page_id=11 18 Korean Women Entrepreneurs Association website, last accessed April 16, 2013. http://www.womanbiz.or.kr/2010/sub.do?code=01_02 19 Taiwanese Women s Entrepreneurs Association website, last accessed April 26, 2013. http://www.twearoc.org/ezinfo/front/bin/home.phtml 20 Singapore Council of Women s Organizations website, last accessed April 26, 2013 http://www.scwo.org.sg/index.php/about-us/our-mission-a-goals 21 Chinese Association of Women Entrepreneurs website, last accessed April 26, 2013. http://www.cawe.org.cn/cawe/fore/frameworkfore/findcommflashlistaction.action 7 P age Copyright 2013 by Diversity Best Practices. All rights reserved.