International Women's Day 2023

How will you #EmbraceEquity?

We are proud to mark International Women's Day as part of our annual campaign as we believe gender parity is good for our people, good for our clients, and a key part of the success of Clifford Chance.

Here's how we're supporting that aim with changing the rules, changing the culture and changing the lived experience:

  • Targeted inclusion plans at a global, regional and practice area level
  • Embedding inclusion in our partner selection review processes
  • Ensuring diversity best practice throughout our recruitment processes
  • Growing our reverse mentoring scheme, trailblazed by our gender party network Accelerate>>>

Events and highlights

Americas

Our Women's Affinity Group of the Americas Diversity Committee hosted celebratory luncheons in New York and Washington, DC, with Sao Paulo colleagues attending virtually. The events featured food from local women-owned businesses, and colleagues Judy Campbell, Sarah Nye Campbell, Megan Gordon, Rebecca Isaacs Sussman, Celeste Koeleveld and Serena Seaman shared how they plan to #EmbraceEquity this year.

Asia Pacific

'Demystifying the Path to the Boardroom' was the topic of discussion at a luncheon hosted by our gender parity network Accelerate>>>, in which Su-Yen Wong, Chairperson at the Singapore Institute of Directors, Junie Foo, CEO of Methodist Welfare Services shared their experiences and insights. 

Australia

Panellists including Connie Heng, Angela Pearsall, Lara Gotti and Rubin Trehan spoke openly with colleagues in our Perth office about embracing equity, their career reflections, advice for junior colleagues and experiences with parenting and parental leave. 

Brussels

Our Accelerate>>> network hosted a speed-mentoring session for all the women in the Brussels office. During the session mentees rotated between a number of senior female mentors, engaging in conversations lasting ten minutes. In each conversation mentees asked questions and discussed their challenges. It also provided a great opportunity to network, hear different perspectives and share knowledge. The event was a huge success, with mentees and mentors leaving the event with tips and tricks to help them in their professions.

 

Europe

In collaboration with PWN Global (Professional Women's Network Global), speakers Floris van de Bult, Clarisse Derre-Le MerreDavid Kerr, and Susannah Haan discussed the draft legislation, examine how companies and governments will look at implementation, and consider the impact on companies and their culture and strategies, as well as the wider social impact.

Germany

Sunny Kapoor and Linda Tahiri discussed feminist foreign policy, structural inequality, integration in the labor market and everyday racism at work alongside panellists at an event in our Frankfurt office. Insights into personal experiences, also from the audience, contributed to the incredible diversity of perspectives.

Istanbul

Researcher and keynote speaker Evrim Kuran walked us through The Superwoman Myth, discussing the ways to challenge and dispel it. We are delighted to organise this special event where we had the chance to come together with our dear colleagues from law firms and law students from prominent universities.

Luxembourg

We had the pleasure of welcoming our clients to #EmbraceEquity with Gender Finance. Guest speaker Shiva Dustdar, Director and Head of the EIB Institute, shared her insights on the topic, alongside Christian Kremer, Stefanie Ferring, Yolanda Ghita-Blujdescu and Marine Alonso.

The day started with breakfast, followed by talks on how the workspace has developed over the years on diversity and advancing women, and wrapped up by coffee and networking.

Middle East

In honour of International Women's Day, we took a moment to come together to celebrate the achievements of women and acknowledge our colleagues who drive forward our pursuit of greater inclusion and gender equity.

Newcastle

Our Newcastle office hosted an event featuring guest speaker Claire Lomas. Claire shared her journey of overcoming immense challenges, including a life-changing spinal cord injury, to become a successful author, public speaker and charity fundraiser. Her message about resilience and the power of positive mindset left a lasting impact on the attendees. We are grateful for Claire's presence and sharing her inspiring story.

Paris

Our Paris office organised a collection throughout the month of March for Règles Élémentaires, a charity which fights against menstrual insecurity. The aim: to collect a maximum of feminine hygiene products, which will then be redistributed to those most in need. 

Reflecting on our campaigns

Our insights

The latest points of view from our people on our responsible business activities

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