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*Translations are unofficial and provided by Google translate
UN Women 2024 Asia-Pacific WEPs Awards:
Meet the Regional Winners
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We are excited to announce the Regional winners of the UN Women 2022 Asia-Pacific WEPs Awards!
Big congratulations to all the winners who have committed themselves to advancing gender equality and women's economic empowerment. These gender champions from different countries, sectors, and fields are acknowledged respectively for their outstanding Leadership Commitment, Youth Leadership, Gender-inclusive Workplace, Gender-responsive Marketplace, Community and Industry Engagement, and Transparency & Reporting.
*The UN Women Asia-Pacific WEPs Awards represents recognition of exemplary company efforts for gender equality and is limited to a designated category and a specific location and time period. Awarded organizations, alongside their products and services, receiving awards are not endorsed or affiliated with UN Women or WeEmpowerAsia and being recognized as an Awardee does not constitute a partnership. Claims, statements, or endorsements made by awardees are solely those of the individual or organization and do not represent official policies or positions of UN Women.
Winners
CP Axtra Public Company Limited
CP Axtra Public Company Limited, Thailand’s largest wholesale and retail business, has championed well-being, diversity, and inclusion for over 30 years. The company continuously monitors and analyzes gender data, ensuring transparent reporting to management, stakeholders, and the public. This approach supports gap analysis, action planning, and budgeting to achieve its commitment to gender equality. In 2024, CP Axtra introduced additional paternity leave, reduced daily working hours by one hour for better work-life balance, and began exploring childcare support to address female employee retention post-maternity leave. The company also aims to enhance supplier compliance with human rights and non-discrimination policies from 83% to 100% by 2025. These efforts align with CP Axtra’s core values of promoting health, love, joy, and overall well-being, empowering employees to excel and deliver the best solutions for customers while supporting sustainable growth across its supply chain and community.
Nat Young and Amber Jones
Nat Young and Amber Jones, Co-Founders of PEERS
Nat Young came up with the idea of PEERS during a university competition aimed at improving equity in healthcare. Together with Amber Jones they found an innovative healthcare platform that helps LGBTQ+ community access safe and equitable healthcare in New Zealand. The PEERS website enables users to find, and book accredited and empathetic practitioners. To date, there are 101 healthcare practitioners in Ponsonby available from 16 specialties listed. To grow this network, the co-founders engage in partnerships with community groups and non-profits like The Burnett Foundation, Qtopia and Rainbow Youth. Nat and Amber are committed to transforming healthcare in Aotearoa, prioritizing safety and accessibility for gender-diverse individuals and women. Looking ahead, they plan to expand PEERS by offering healthcare professionals resources for education, accreditation, and data to improve their practices.
Thiri Aung
Thiri Aung, CEO of Women Transforming Myanmar (WTM)
Thiri Aung founded Women Transforming Myanmar (WTM) in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, to empower women entrepreneurs and promote gender equality. WTM provides leadership training, business development services, and mentorship, creating a supportive community for women to access essential business tools and create job opportunities. Leveraging her extensive corporate and entrepreneurial experience, Thiri personally led training sessions and mentorship programs while building strategic partnerships with organizations like UN Women, UNDP, and ActionAid Myanmar to enhance WTM's impact.
Under Thiri Aung’s leadership, WTM has grown into a robust network of over 5,000 women entrepreneurs from diverse sectors, including food production, textiles, education, mental healthcare, and environmental consulting. Many members have successfully launched and sustained businesses, contributing to local economies and creating jobs. Despite challenging political and humanitarian contexts, WTM has become a transformative platform for economic empowerment and gender equality in Myanmar.
Kinara Capital
The HerVikas Loan Program by Kinara Capital was launched in 2020 to address the significant barriers women entrepreneurs in India face when accessing formal credit. Despite women making up 20% of MSMEs, they account for 40% of the $400 billion credit gap in the sector. Traditional lending methods often require collateral, which most women lack, and are also plagued by gender bias. HerVikas offers collateral-free business loans, leveraging AI/ML-driven credit assessments based on business health, cash flow, and other non-gendered metrics. This approach eliminates biases and ensures quick, accessible funding for women entrepreneurs. The program has disbursed over INR 700 crores to 5,800 women MSMEs across 100+ cities, supporting job creation, business growth, and financial inclusion. It has also increased the net income and salaries of women entrepreneurs. With additional funding and strategic partnerships, HerVikas plans to further expand its reach, empowering even more women in India’s MSME sector.
Hansoll Textile, Ltd.
In 2022, Hansoll Textile launched the Women Inspired Supported Empowered (W.I.S.E.) program across 13 factories in Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Nicaragua, and Guatemala to empower female workers and inspire personal growth beyond the workplace. Integrated into DEI policy and roadmap, the W.I.S.E. program provides guidelines for requirements and procedure for their factories. Partnerships are central to the initiative, bringing together factories, banks, hospitals, and local organizations to deliver financial education, health training, and legal support, including resources for reporting and addressing gender-based violence. Since its inception, the W.I.S.E. program has reached over 5,518 female workers, advancing their confidence and skills. The notable results include improved financial inclusion and increases awareness of domestic and sexual violence and women health.
Zomato Ltd
Zomato’s Project Arya empowers women in India’s gig economy by addressing barriers in last-mile delivery roles, including gender biases, socio-economic hurdles, and digital literacy. The initiative has already engaged 2,500 women and aims to train 5,000 more over the next two years. Project Arya provides training in driving, digital literacy, and vehicle operation, alongside safety protocols, health benefits, and tailored uniforms, fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. By “de-genderizing” delivery work, it creates equal opportunities in a male-dominated sector. The project’s success is evident, with 55% of female delivery partners in key regions completing over 18,900 orders in March 2024 alone. These women contribute to their families’ economic stability while gaining mobility and independence. With plans for nationwide expansion, Project Arya is driving women’s empowerment and promoting gender inclusivity in the gig economy.
Mr. Khurrum Ashfaque, CEO of Telenor Pakistan
Mr. Khurrum Ashfaque, CEO of Telenor Pakistan, championed transformative DEI initiatives under the People First strategy, prioritizing female talent development. Under his guidance, programs like "Naya Aghaaz" for returning female professionals and "Parvaaz" for female sales trainees, have increased women workforce participation by 2% in a year. Additionally, “EmpowHer” initiatives have developed women’s leadership capacities across different levels. Beyond operations, Khurrum Ashfaque has built impactful partnerships with Ministry of Information Technology, the Champions of Change Coalition Pakistan, and GSMA, creating a national network of female leaders from various organizations. Khurrum Ashfaque ensured the execution of such DEI policies as pay equity, flexible working conditions, and increased allowances for daycare. As a result, Telenor Pakistan achieved an industry-leading pay parity rate of 95%. These policies contributed to a reduction in female turnover, indicating improved retention and job satisfaction among female employees.
L'Oréal (Thailand) Limited
For years, L’Oréal Group has strived to combine economic performance with positive social and environmental impact. The Inclusive Sourcing program is key to this ambition, opening the Group’s tenders to companies employing individuals facing social and economic vulnerability, providing lasting work and income opportunities. The program also supports SMEs and women-owned companies, traditionally excluded from large multinational tenders. Launched in Thailand in 2015 with 11 beneficiaries, the program now supports 234, primarily older individuals and people with disabilities. L’Oréal Thailand actively collaborates with partners to amplify impact.
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1st Runners Up
PwC Malaysia
PwC’s purpose is to build trust and solve important problems. It also shapes their people’s approach - to create meaningful experiences through diversity and inclusion, wellbeing, development, and total rewards. PwC's ‘Inclusion First’ approach combines systems and behaviors through leadership commitment, accountability, and transparency, and embedding I&D in PWC systems. By setting diversity targets as part of their leadership KPIs and inclusive programs like the career comeback initiative, PwC in Malaysia has built a strong pipeline of female leaders with 43% of their partners being female in 2024. PwC also actively looks beyond just gender by raising awareness on PWDs and incorporating support for PWD employees in their workforce.
PT Schneider Indonesia
Schneider Electric Indonesia launched the Women Electrician Bootcamp to empower women in the traditionally male-dominated electrical industry, where female electricians represent less than 3% globally. The bootcamp provides aspiring electricians with a supportive environment through a week-long series of training sessions led by industry experts, covering essential skills, safety protocols, and advanced technologies. Participants engage in real-world applications through site visits and mentorship, fostering confidence and competence. Attracting a diverse group of 15 participants, including students and professionals, the bootcamp enhances technical skills while building a strong community. Graduates are now entering the electrical industry with renewed confidence, contributing to a more inclusive future and showcasing Schneider Electric’s commitment to diversity and empowerment in technical fields.
Ireen Catane
Country President of Schneider Electric Philippine
Ireen Catane, Country President of Schneider Electric Philippines since 2022, is the first woman and first local to hold this role. With extensive leadership experience in the technology and electronics industry, she drives diversity, equity, and inclusion. Ireen champions initiatives like the Global Pay Equity program and launched the Women with Impact Mentoring Session, empowering female employees to advance their careers through direct mentorship. Under her leadership, the company has exceeded its global targets for female representation, with women comprising 49% of leaders and 45% of employees. Beyond Schneider, she is an active member of the Filipina CEO Circle, where she mentors and inspires future female leaders. In less than three years, Ireen has fostered a workplace culture that values respect, empowerment, and inclusivity, influencing recruitment, talent development, and overall organizational practices.
Cyntax Health Projects PVT LTD
Cyntax Health’s Fempure initiative addresses period poverty by promoting menstrual health and hygiene across urban and rural Pakistan. The company has invested in R&D to mobilize the local industry to produce affordable, high-quality and biodegradable menstrual products. Over 50,000 units have been distributed, benefiting more than 50,000 women and girls. Fempure has educated 2,000 participants on menstrual health management through sessions in schools, universities, and community centres and launched a mobile app that provides accurate information, particularly for single fathers supporting daughters. The company collaborates with CSOs to ensure product distribution in underprivileged and disaster-hit areas and partners with the Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce to improve access through women-led SMEs. Advocating menstrual health as a public issue, Cyntax Health Projects has successfully lobbied for discussions on removing the tampon and sales tax on menstrual products together with UNICEF Pakistan.
Shui on Land
Shui on Land champions transparency and reporting in its commitment to diversity and inclusion, embedded within its "CARE" pillar of the 5C sustainability strategy. The company has set 2030 targets to maintain gender pay equity and benchmarks its progress against global frameworks like the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index, where it has been recognized for two consecutive years. Dedicated to governance and Board diversity, Shui on Land has achieved 36.3% female representation on its Board. The company fosters an inclusive workplace by implementing accessible office standards, offering annual unconscious bias training, and linking executive compensation to diversity and inclusion KPIs. Notably, 53% of promotions in 2023 were awarded to female employees, with women comprising 23% of IT and engineering roles. Shui on Land’s holistic approach demonstrates its commitment to advancing gender equality at all organizational levels.
Pinkcollar Employment Agency
Pinkcollar is a women-led recruitment agency in Malaysia, dedicated to placing migrant domestic workers in ethical, safe jobs. We create fair employment pathways by eliminating placement fees for migrant workers, offering strong worker support, and ensuring employers have well-matched, well-prepared workers. PinkCollar was awarded the Gender-Responsive Marketplace Award for their ethical recruitment model that has benefited over 500 women migrant domestic workers, ensuring fair treatment and a zero debt bondage. From fair sourcing and vetting processes to Post-Placement Support with a 24/7 emergency helpline, PinkCollar collaborates with accredited organizations at each step to transform the domestic employment agency industry. Their efforts to professionalize domestic work and advocate for safe workplaces sets a new benchmark for ethical recruitment in Southeast Asia.
Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam JSC (BIDV)
BIDV introduced the SMEasy Digital Platform, offering comprehensive financial and non-financial solutions tailored to support women-owned small and medium enterprises (WSMEs). As of June 2024, the platform has attracted over 140,000 users, including WSMEs, providing them with free, anytime-anywhere access to resources for business growth, financial management, mergers and acquisitions, and expansion opportunities. A standout feature, the "SME Diagnosis" toolkit, supports businesses in assessing corporate culture maturity, enhancing workplace communication, and improving leadership skills. Through this innovative platform, BIDV empowers women entrepreneurs to thrive and expand their ventures.
2nd Runners Up
PT Pertamina (Persero)
PT Pertamina (Persero), Indonesia’s state-owned oil and gas company, is advancing gender equality through initiatives like PERTIWI, an employee-led community promoting inclusivity in development, wellbeing, and sustainability. Women currently represent 18% of Pertamina’s workforce and 16% of leadership roles, with targeted programs like Women LEAP and coaching initiatives boosting female representation, including in technical fields. Pertamina also fosters a supportive workplace with its PsyCARE mental health program, flexible working options, and daycare facilities. Partnering with organizations like USAID and UN Women, Pertamina aims to reach 25% female leadership by 2030, setting benchmarks for gender equality in Indonesia’s energy sector.
Manila Water Company, Inc.
MWF’s WASH initiatives, aligned with UN SDGs 6 and 5, address diverse water and sanitation needs while promoting gender equality through active community and women's involvement. Interventions include constructing and rehabilitating water systems, forming local WASH groups, capacity-building activities, and promoting WASH for better health outcomes. Since 2022, MWF has invested PHP100M (USD 1.8M), reaching over 8 million individuals and improving access to clean water and sanitation nationwide. Collaborating with community members, local governments, national agencies, and networks like Association of Foundations and the League of Corporate Foundations, these efforts have enhanced productivity, reduced operational downtime, and fostered sustainable water stewardship. With 140 partners contributing over 200 volunteer hours, MWF has empowered communities, improved services, and established WASH as a foundation for positive health and development outcomes
Shaista Ayesha
CEO of SEED Ventures
Shaista Ayesha has dedicated her career to breaking workplace barriers for women and promote gender- inclusive workplace culture. In SEED Ventures, she focused on implementation of initiatives, supporting pregnant women and new mothers. Under her leadership, the company introduced flexible hours and remote work options, childcare-friendly measures that allow mothers to bring their newborns and nannies to work and provide nursing areas for their convenience. Moreover, Shaista championed the introduction of menstrual leave, offering necessary time off for female employees without stigma. Shaista’s initiatives impressively improved female retention rates, increasing from 60% to 90%. Beyond SEED Ventures, she advocates for gender equality at forums and conferences, inspiring other leaders in Pakistan to adopt similar practices. Shaista’s efforts brought recognition to SEED Ventures as a forward-thinking company in gender inclusivity that supports women’s careers through innovative, and family-friendly policies.
Wipro Limited
Wipro’s WISDOM program aims to enhance the scalability of diverse suppliers by providing targeted mentorship, conducting SWOT analyses, and facilitating one-on-one conversations between suppliers and Wipro’s Supplier Diversity Lead. The program was launched to address the increasing demand for supplier diversity in response to customer expectations. The program achieved notable success, with a 105% increase in spending with Women Business Enterprises and a 120% rise in their contribution to diverse spending from FY23 to FY24. Additionally, the creation of the WEW program demonstrates Wipro's proactive approach to tackling the specific challenges women entrepreneurs face. With ambitious targets to increase global spend with diverse suppliers to 12%, Wipro’s WISDOM program exemplifies innovation and leadership in supplier diversity.
Sino Land Company Limited
Sino Land has demonstrated a strong commitment to transparency and accountability in sustainability and gender data reporting since 2020. Their 2023 Sustainability Report aligns with eight major local and global standards, the highest among the developers in Hong, and is independently assured by the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency. Guided by their Sustainability Vision 2030, Sino Land has set 38 targets, including gender-inclusive goals, mapped to the UN SDGs. The company transparently discloses social performance, including gender-disaggregated employee statistics, with a nearly 1:1 employee gender ratio and over 40% of management positions held by women. Sino Land also aims for gender balance in all management roles by 2030. The company is actively exploring the disclosure of additional data, such as gender-based wage comparisons, to further enhance transparency and accountability.
Bun Khim
General Manager and Co-founder of Mekong Inclusive Venture of Agile Development Group
Khim Bun, an accomplished facilitator and researcher in gender and disability inclusion, leads transformative initiatives that empower marginalized communities through digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and advocacy. At Agile, she has designed training programs on financial literacy, cyberbullying, and social health protection, mentoring hundreds of women and individuals with disabilities.
Through partnerships with organizations like WeMall, Khmum E-shop, and FASMEC, she has delivered financial literacy and access-to-capital workshops to 800 women-led micro and small businesses. Under her leadership, Agile’s programs have reached over 370 women, men and youth with disabilities across eight provinces. Her training programs have equipped participants with essential skills, inspiring many to launch their own businesses. Khim’s research on social health protection identified barriers faced by people with disabilities in accessing healthcare, shaping policy recommendations to enhance inclusion. As a recognized advocate, she continues to foster empowerment and drive systemic change for marginalized communities across Cambodia.
LOLC Myanmar Micro Finance Company Limited
LOLC Myanmar addresses gender disparities in access to credit by offering gender-responsive financial services and capacity-building programs. The company has introduced multiple loan products tailored to the diverse needs of women clients, including financing for LPG cylinder purchases – a step towards cleaner energy and better health outcomes for women and their families. In collaboration with UNCDF, LOLC Myanmar has developed gender-smart financial product, trained senior management on women-centric approaches, and surveyed barriers faced by women entrepreneurs. With women in leadership roles, LOLC Myanmar fosters a sense of belonging and agency among women clients. The company has transitioned from group to individual loans, serving around 200,000 borrowers through 74 branches, 86% of whom are women. With over 70% of its coverage in rural areas, LOLC Myanmar has significantly advanced financial inclusion and continues to bridge the gender gap in credit access in a country with limited financial services.
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Special Mentions
NMB BANK LTD
NMB Bank’s strategy aims at creating an accessible and inclusive banking environment, responsive to the diverse needs of our employees, customers, and communities. The Bank champions women’s leadership with initiatives such as its All-Women-Led Branches across Nepal. The program offers comprehensive training in credit, leadership, and banking operations, ensuring that women employees are well-equipped for senior management roles. NMB Bank promotes family-friendly policies, like using pool staff during maternity breaks that ensure seamless transitions while maintaining business continuity. The Bank also empowers future leaders through the She Leads Tomorrow Scholarship, enabling female students to pursue master’s degrees in sustainability. Currently, women represent 40% of the NMB Bank’s workforce, with a goal of 50% by 2027. To further drive gender equity, the Bank provides mental health training for managers, supports community initiatives like installing menstrual pad vending machines in schools, and offers platforms for women entrepreneurs to thrive.
MYSC (Merry Year Social Company)
Since 2011, MYSC has focused on investment, acceleration, and consulting in South Korea to drive social innovation. By 2024, it became Asia's largest accelerator specializing in early-stage investments. To address gender inequality in investment industry, the company has developed the "Women-led Investment 4D Mechanism" to discover, invest in, and expand women-led companies in South Korea and across Asia, creating a virtuous cycle of gender investment. This mechanism is applied across 18 MYSC-managed funds, with approximately 65 billion KRW in assets under management, and is utilized by 70 investment officers and consultants. So far 15% of the total 181 investments were directed towards women-led companies, promoting greater gender diversity in governance.
*The UN Women Asia-Pacific WEPs Awards represents recognition of exemplary company efforts for gender equality and is limited to a designated category and a specific location and time period. Awarded organizations, alongside their products and services, receiving awards are not endorsed or affiliated with UN Women or WeEmpowerAsia and being recognized as an Awardee does not constitute a partnership. Claims, statements, or endorsements made by awardees are solely those of the individual or organization and do not represent official policies or positions of UN Women.
What are the WEPs?
2022 Awardees
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