In conjunction with International Women’s Day 2018, ACCA Malaysia is launching its first Women’s Network.

The global theme for this year’s event is #pressforprogress, seeking advances on a number of issues from gender pay parity to equality of opportunity. 

“2018 is the 40th anniversary of the phrase ‘glass ceiling’ first being used by the business consultant Marilyn Loden.

“It’s clear we still need to push for progress, and this is why we are launching our Women’s Network which is to provide a platform for female ACCA members to network, share insights, support and promote career, and discuss issues that matter.

“Here in Malaysia, 59% of our members are women and the number continue to grow. The Malaysian government has also acknowledged the importance of the women agenda, having announced 2018 as the Year to Empower Women,” said ACCA’s past-president Datuk Alexandra Chin FCCA, who chaired the launch. 

 ACCA is calling for business leaders to show real and measurable progress on diversity and social mobility issues, and through the launch of ACCA Malaysia Women’s Network today, young and aspiring female members of ACCA in Malaysia would be able to gain access to senior and successful ACCA members who can mentor them. 

ACCA women in Malaysia can now look forward to programmes and networking opportunities specially catered for them.

“Looking forward, if there’s an area where I’d like to see sustained progress, it’s to ensure career ladders breakthrough the glass ceiling for women.

“We have to take a wider view and seek progress on social mobility - unequal access to opportunities still exist for many women and men.

“Effective corporate leadership is needed to achieve real and lasting progress. And ACCA believes this can be made through open discussion, transparent reporting and ensuring diversity is an integral part of how we work now and, in the future,,” she said.

The Launch of ACCA Malaysia Women’s Network was graced by Her Excellency Victoria Treadell, British High Commissioner to Malaysia and attended by ACCA Council and ACCA Malaysia Advisory Committee members, including President Datuk Merina Abu Tahir. ACCA Malaysia kick-started the ACCA Malaysia Women’s Network with an inspiring panel session from various panellists in the world of business and government, sharing stories and insights. 

Head of ACCA Malaysia Edward Ling: “ACCA has welcomed policies to address issues such as disparity in pay and boardroom diversity. 

“And there are examples of good practice highlighted in our recent report Generation next: managing talent in large accountancy firms which shows how the Big Four are addressing diversity to ensure women have a place and voice in their business.”

“The accountancy profession is an attractive career choice for many because of the flexibility and choice it offers and at ACCA, we’ve made opportunity a reality, with an open access policy that enables anyone to qualify as a professional accountant.

“By simply removing the need for prior qualifications, we’ve created access to a profession that offers a rewarding career,” he said. 

ACCA says employers and their recruitment strategies are part of the success equation for diversity.

“As our Gen Next report shows, creating the leaders of tomorrow is an on-going task for firms. The tone clearly has to be set from the top, with a transparent culture that’s committed to diversity.

“We have to measure this progress too – after all, what’s not measured can’t be managed”

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