Category: Cover Story

Whether you’re traveling alone or as a family, whether you want to simply relax or have an adventure, Thailand is the perfect place for you to visit Whether you’re traveling alone or as a family, whether you want to simply relax or have an adventure, Thailand is the perfect place for you to visit

Thailand is one of the most visited nations on the planet, seeing more than 35 million travelers yearly. Thailand is a fabulous, diverse country that is famous for many things. From white sandy beaches and terrific hotels to historic temples and mouthwatering food, there’s simply too much on offer for visitors in this tropical paradise.

If you have heard of Thailand, then you have no doubt heard of the famous Thai smile and Thai wai (the hands together mini bow). This is a big part of their culture. Thais are, in general, some of the politest and most well-mannered people you will ever meet, and this is why so many people love visiting Thailand.

One of their mottoes is mai pen rai, which means ‘never mind’. Thai people’s carefree attitude is one that many Westerners envy. Unlike many Westerners who tend to worry and live stressful lives, Thais tend to take stress and emotions with a pinch of salt. Even when Thais are losing in sports events, you rarely see them lose their temper and, instead, they just smile their frustration away.

Don’t hesitate to ask for help when you travel around Thailand, Thais are kind and helpful, from recommending restaurants to helping with directions.

Scenery, history and culture

Thailand’s most impressive natural feature has got to be its islands and beaches. With over 2,400 km (1,500 miles) of coastline and almost 1,000 islands, you will find an island or beach to love, whether you want to party till dawn, learn to dive, or escape from the world on a secluded, romantic break.

There are so many islands on both the west and east coasts of Thailand. On the west coast of Thailand, Phuket, Krabi, and Koh Phi Phi are famous for their well-developed facilities and plentiful activities; Koh Lipe and Koh Lanta have incredibly clear water with stunning coral reefs to snorkel over. On the east coast of Thailand, islands like Ko Samui, Ko Pha-Ngan, and Ko Tao have stunning remote beaches where you can escape the crowds.

Stretching more than six kilometers (four miles), Bang Tao Beach (or Bangtao) is the second-longest beach on Phuket. It is home to a famous resort complex known as ‘Laguna Phuket’, with some of the best resorts of all southern Thailand, such as Banyan Tree Resort, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, Angsana Laguna Phuket Resort, and SAii Laguna Phuket Resort. Guests staying at any of the Laguna Complex resorts can enjoy tons of activities offered by the hotels: sailing, kayaking, archery, immense swimming pools, massages, and amazing spas. There are many local restaurants and bars to enjoy food and drinks.

Kata Beach Phuket consists of two parts: Kata Noi and Kata Yai. As it is a great combination of beauty, facilities and activities, it is a popular choice for visitors. From golden sands, clear blue water, sun-bathing, to surfing, snorkeling, family fun, decent nightlife, and endless other activities, it really is everyone’s beach.

Silver Beach, Koh Samui is a 250-meter-long tropical beach. It is small, but it is one of the most beautiful beaches on Koh Samui. It is a tranquil strip of sand, perfect for couples and those looking for a calmer getaway. It offers many laid-back activities, including swimming, snorkeling, Thai massages right in sight of the waves, and sea kayak rentals.

Maya Bay, Koh Phi Phi became a world-famous beach because of the Leonardo DiCaprio movie The Beach. Apart from its gorgeous beaches, dramatic karst cliffs, and fine white sand, the exotic Thailand honeymoon resorts and villas there add luxury and comfort to the idyllic peace that couples get to experience while holidaying there.

Thailand is famous for being one of the most devoted Buddhist countries. Around 94% of Thailand’s population are Buddhists. There are over 40,000 Buddhist temples and sanctuaries in Thailand, and about 300,000 monks. No matter which part of the country you find yourself in, there are always temples, shrines, and pagodas for you to visit. The most famous Buddhist sanctuaries in Thailand are Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok, Wat Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai, the White Temple in Chiang Rai, and Wat Ratburana in Ayutthaya.

The history of Thailand is long and complex. The earliest Thai relics date back to the Paleolithic period, some 20,000 years ago. During its long history, the country has been influenced by Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia (elements of Khmer architecture are visible in many of the earliest temples), India, and China. Cities like Bangkok, Sukhothai, and Chiang Mai are home to many ancient ruins. Its history is also found in Thailand’s many art forms, like traditional Thai dancing or Thai puppetry performances.

Unique Thai experience

The markets in Thailand are like no others in the world. Thailand hosts a range of markets from floating markets and nighttime street markets, to markets on train tracks. Even if you do not love shopping, you should visit one of Thailand’s local markets.

As one of the most famous floating markets in Bangkok, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is definitely deserving of a visit. You can ride a long-tail boat, paddled along the canal, which is full of boats laden with all kinds of products, including food, fruits, and souvenirs. Explore the ancient remote villages and plantations if you have enough time.

Elephant riding in Thailand was all the rage. In recent years, however, a number of elephant sanctuaries have been set up, in which elephants are free to roam around without being tortured or kept in chains. Instead of riding the elephants, visitors can feed them or bathe them in the river. Chiang Mai is one of the best places to have a close encounter with elephants.

Elephant Rescue Park is the best elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai. It is a place where elephants are treated with total respect and kindness. All the elephants in the park are rescued from places like circuses, logging industry, mistreatment camps, hard working sites and unfortunate accidents. In the park, you’ll learn so much about elephants and what it takes to treat them with the respect that they deserve and need. You’ll get to feed them, walk with them, hug them, play with them, bathe with them and so much more.

Apart from elephants, Thailand is home to more than 10% of the world’s animals, as natural forests cover approximately 25% of Thailand’s total land area. There are more than 285 mammal species, including elephants, tigers, leopards, Malaysian sun bears, deer, and otters, as well as a variety of primate species including gibbons, dusky leaf monkeys, and macaques. The country currently has 147 national parks.

Parks like Khao Yai and Khao Sok are perfect for hiking along the trails of the jungle and try to spot some wild animals like elephants or gaurs. Doi Inthanon, with the tallest mountain of Thailand and more than 300 hundred species of birds, is perfect for birdwatching and enjoying some amazing views when hiking the peaks. In Doi Suthep-Pui you can also enjoy some pretty high peaks, and you can visit the winter residence of the King, Phubing Palace. Erawan National Park is famous for its seven-layered waterfall. The layers form seven ponds where you can swim while hiking to reach the top. Kui Buri offers you a safari-like experience. You can reach several viewpoints with an open-air vehicle while a guide will introduce you to the wildlife of the park.

Apart from visiting the parks, try Thailand’s national sport, Muay Thai, or Thai Boxing, the most popular sport in the country and one of the top internationally-known fighting sports. There is no shortage of Thai boxing gyms or stadiums in Thailand. People travel from all over the globe to learn this martial art. There are famous arenas and shows in every city in Thailand, like Patong Boxing Stadium in Phuket, Muay Thai Live in Bangkok, and Max Muay Thai in Pattaya.

Thai cuisine and shopping

Thai gastronomy is highly praised worldwide. The combination of flavors, temperatures, textures, and cooking methods makes Thai food one of the most appreciated in the world. Some specialties you cannot miss are tom yum goong (spicy shrimp soup), pad Thai (Thai fried noodles), and som tam (spicy papaya salad).

Shopping in Thailand is ideal for both the big spenders and the penny pinchers. From the premium shopping malls, night or weekend markets, to street stalls, you can buy anything from monied designer goods, silks, and antiques to bargain clothing, snacks, and souvenirs.

Thai silk is rightfully considered to be the best in the world. It is completely handwoven and no two pieces look exactly alike. The intricacy of its patterns is stunning, and the use of threads in alternating tones gives Thai silk a peculiar color-changing sheen. In Bangkok, Jim Thompson is the most recommended place. There is a huge store on Surawong Road, and there are many others inside different luxury hotels.

You will taste a Thai dish that you love and want to cook when you’re back at home. Buying bags of Thai spices is the only way to recreate the authentic flavor. Some of the most common spices and herbs used in Thai cuisine are galangal, which is a relative of ginger, turmeric, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and Thai basil. They are usually used to make pastes or broths – they are boiled for a long time to release all their flavor – and many noodle dishes are topped with chopped herbs. Chatuchak Market is a great place to buy packs of spices.

You will find good silver jewelry for a fair price in Thailand. Most of these beautiful objects are handcrafted by hill tribes in the north of the country. Showy pieces of silver jewelry, from necklaces to rings, are an important part of the hill tribes’ traditional attire. Khao San Road and Silom Road in Bangkok are also good shopping places.

Traditional Thai massage

When talking about the best massage in the world, one cannot miss talking about Thailand! Thai massage is a yogic acupressure technique, which is applied all over the body, from head to toe. It is a deep, muscle-stretching massage.

There are several types of Thai massage, including traditional Thai massage (known as yoga massage), oil massage, foot massage, and pinda (herbal, relaxing movement) massage.

A traditional Thai massage uses compression and stretching techniques. No oils and creams. And no soft tissue (skin and muscles) gliding. A Thai massage generally involves treating the whole body, which can take 1 or 2 hours. The massage is done dressed in loose clothes, which the massage center provides.

Thai massages are used as a therapeutic technique. They believe that it releases blockages along the body’s energy lines (sen), which is influenced by traditional Chinese medicine. During the massage, the technician uses the elbow, forearm, foot, and knee to do the massage. In some moments, you will feel very relaxed, and during others, discomfort and tension in your muscles. However, by the end, you will feel relief, the sensation that your whole body worked, and even pain mitigation. The Thai massage session ends with a lovely hot tea.

You don’t have to look very hard to find a Thai massage in Bangkok. Small studios are located on just about every street, sometimes within just a few steps of one another, especially in popular tourist areas like Sukhumvit, Silom, and Khaosan Road. There are also many well-known chains that operate several spa branches around the city, as well as high-end luxury spas located at the city’s resort hotels.

Thai massage studios and parlors

The Lavender Massage by Arunda is a very affordable massage parlor that offers an array of services and is particularly popular for its aroma oil massage. Customers finish their treatment with a warm cup of tea in a nice garden area for one last moment of stillness before heading off. Price for a traditional Thai massage: 250 baht.

Zen Tara Massage & Spa is located just an eight-minute walk from Ratchathewi BTS Station. The modern and minimalistic interior is filled with a soothing aroma that will automatically put you at ease. Choose from a selection of different massages and services, including a traditional Thai massage, a body scrub, a foot massage, an aroma oil massage, and the salon’s very own ZEN massage. Price for a traditional Thai massage: 250 baht.

At Ease Massage is clean and inviting and the staff places a high emphasis on hospitality. Enjoy a traditional massage, a foot massage, a neck massage, or an oil massage. The Japanese-owned salon also offers some unique services, such as a rice enzyme bath. Price for a traditional Thai massage: 400 baht

For an even wider array of additional spa services with your massage, consider scheduling an appointment at one of the many urban spas located around the city.

Chain spas for traditional Thai massage

One of the most popular spa chains in Thailand, Let’s Relax has numerous branches all over Bangkok, most of them easily accessible from the Skytrain. Any branch is well worth your visit but, if you can, you should try to book an appointment at the Let’s Relax Onsen and Spa located in the. This location is not only one of the largest, but it is also home to Japanese-style hot springs where you can relax in the mineral-enriched waters. At the end of your treatment in any Let’s Relax location, you will be treated to a bowl of sweet Thai mango sticky rice. Price for a traditional Thai massage: 600 baht.

As per its name, the Asia Herb Association Herbal Massage & Spa provides numerous treatments that make use of traditional Thai herbs grown on an organic farm. Customers can choose for treatment to focus on certain areas of their body where they may be experiencing issues. Price for a traditional Thai massage: 600 baht.

Yunomori Onsen and Spa is an authentic, Japanese-style spa in the heart of Bangkok, which means that you can expect unparalleled Japanese customer service during your appointment. Experience traditional onsen bathing culture in baths filled with water sourced directly from real thermal hot springs and make sure you try the jet and carbonated pools as well. Of course, you can also receive an excellent traditional Thai massage that will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Price for a traditional Thai massage: 450 baht.

For the ultimate in luxury, you’ll want to book a visit to one of Bangkok’s luxurious spa resorts.

Luxury hotel spas for traditional Thai massage

Away Spa is an ultra-modern retreat located on the sixth floor of W Bangkok that offers a highly personalized spa experience. From the treatments, to the color of the lighting in the treatment room, to the type of music played during your treatment, everything is up to you. Choose from an array of massages, facials, body scrubs, wraps, and more. Always Spa also offers a range of beauty services, including manicures, pedicures, and haircuts. Price for a traditional Thai massage: 2,500 baht.

I.Sawan Residential Spa & Club is a club-style spa at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok Hotel and is often considered to be one of the most beautifully designed spas in the city. The treatment menu includes everything from quick facials to whole-day spa packages. One of the pricier luxury options, I.Sawan Residential Spa & Club is worth the price due to its numerous facilities, which include a pool, tennis courts, squash courts, a fitness center, a hair salon, a nail bar, and restaurants. With everything so conveniently located under one roof, you can easily spend a whole day at the spa and using the facilities. Price for a traditional Thai massage: 2,800 baht.

Located in the Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel, the Anantara Spa focuses on using traditional Ayurvedic therapies combined with indigenous Thai therapies to restore balance to the body. Treatments usually begin with an indulgent 30-minute green tea body scrub for gentle exfoliation and end with a 30-minute milk bath that leaves the skin radiant. The Anantara Spa has both single and couples’ suites so that you can enjoy your day of pampering in solitude or have a romantic time with that special someone. Price for a traditional Thai massage: 2,700 baht.

Tailored wellness is at the core of Auriga Spa of Capella Bangkok. It’s a calming enclave where your path of rejuvenation is mapped out in alignment with your individual needs. In this soulful setting, skilled therapists bring an integrated approach to healing, drawing on traditional, time-tested, and cutting-edge contemporary practices to craft a truly personalised treatment. Price for a traditional Thai massage: 5,500 baht.

The underlying philosophy of the Nitra Serenity Centre at 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai and 137 Pillars Suites & Residences Bangkok focus on ensuring a pampering experience which leaves you feeling restored, invigorated and full of vitality. The guiding principle is creating a “balance” of the body, motion and spirit and integrates the “Seven Pillars of Wellness” into the guests’ daily life, namely “Exercise, Diet, Mindfulness, Restoration, Evolution, Expression, and Social interaction” . Price for a traditional Thai massage: 3,500 baht.

*Sources: Global Wellness Institute,
https://www.asiahighlights.com/
https://www.agoda.com

There’s a business case for women in executive roles,
but achieving equity will require an action plan.
By Weiwen Han, Philip Leung, Chen Shen, Helen Liu, and Christina Zhu

Gender equity at the executive level is a global issue, but it’s more pronounced—and more perplexing—in China. Chinese women are promoted to the executive level less often than Chinese men and less often than women in other countries.

Based on education and workforce participation, Chinese men and women have similar starting lines. Yet they find themselves on divergent career paths. Compared to men, only a small percentage of women in China reach the executive ranks, and women who become executives often lead functional lines. Very few become CEOs (see Figure 1).

Chinese women fall behind women in other countries too, despite starting their careers on equal or better footing. Their access to higher education has significantly expanded over the past two decades, outpacing other countries. Chinese women also have higher workforce participation than women in other countries (see Figure 2).

They reach mid-level management at similar rates as women in countries that lead in gender parity. Then, their careers fizzle out (see Figure 3). Only 19% of executives in China are women, compared with about 25% in other countries.

Something is blocking Chinese women’s ascent.

This research explores two questions: how Chinese women get knocked off the trajectory toward executive leadership, and what companies can do to keep them on track.

Why does women’s representation matter?

Women’s representation in executive teams is not a question of being “fair.” It is an important lever for value creation. When women do not rise to their full potential, neither do their companies.

The business benefits of gender diversity in executive teams are well-documented. Having more women on executive teams improves profit and cash flow performance, shareholder returns, and credit ratings, to name only a few benefits (see Figure 4).

Research proves a causal relationship between the number of women in leadership and improvements in company performance. In Australia, university and government researchers linked actions to improve gender diversity in executive teams directly to an increase in financial performance and market value (see Figure 5).

S&P 500 and FTSE 350 firms with female CEOs or gender-balanced leadership teams had a lower probability of default before the Covid-19 pandemic and fared better during the downturn, according to Credit Benchmark. Women leaders are also more likely to drive sustainability agendas and ESG targets, according to The Sustainability Board Report 2021.

The presence of women in executive teams does not magically improve performance. It changes the dynamic of the group, which can mitigate “group think” and improve decision making. Men and women have different backgrounds and life experiences, which foster both inclusion and innovation.

Women leaders may bring deeper empathy and personal experiences to the boardroom, especially when clients and end consumers are predominantly women. At Sephora, Greater China Managing Director Maggie Chan believes female executives can help address their consumers’ pain points and needs.

Gender diversity can also help Chinese employers address a growing talent issue. Eighty-three percent of Chinese employers experienced a talent shortage in 2022, according to a Manpower Group study.

By developing the potential of women, companies in China could alleviate this issue and reach their full potential.

Yet China’s progress toward gender parity is slower than that of other leading countries (see Figure 6). Deliberate action is needed to catch up.

Women can rise to the top

We interviewed about a dozen female executives and surveyed more than 30 female executives, all in China. Our research identified five key drivers and two must-haves that contributed to their success (see Figure 7). These elements helped them demonstrate themselves, earn recognition and sponsorship, and be fully devoted to their careers.

And that is what employers want. “As China is still a developing market, we often hear from employers that they are seeking executive candidates who are fully committed to career … who proactively seize opportunities to break into white space and are skilled at navigating complex stakeholder networks,” said Christina Zhu, co-head of Spencer Stuart’s greater China region. “Just like a hunter who actively searches for prey.

“To some degree, this can present challenges for female candidates,” she said.

Four workplace challenges women face

As executives, the women we spoke to are outliers. But they do not have to be. Companies and women in China can take actions to increase women’s participation in executive teams.

First, they need to recognize common barriers that women face. Based on our interviews and survey, we summarized four challenges that derail women’s career progression:

• Family responsibilities
• Hesitation
• Exclusion from male networks
• Unconscious bias

Challenge 1: Family responsibilities weigh on women more than men 

About 83% of the women, we surveyed said family duties prevent them from being fully dedicated to work. Over two-thirds of women said their families do not understand their career ambitions.

The idea that “men lead outside and women lead inside” is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, so spouses and children often don’t see that women need full support, sometimes even compromises, from family members to advance and excel at work, according to Zhiqiang Zhang, former managing director of ABB in China. In fact, men are also “looked down upon” in society if they sacrifice their career to support their families and their wives to thrive. This in turn will prevent men from providing full support to their wives in their career development.

Women need more support from their employers, too. More than 70% of respondents said a lack of parental support at work prevents them from advancing their careers.

“I have seen many high-potential women give up professional development opportunities to take care of their families,” said Rachel You, CFO at Jinxin Fertility. “I believe there is much more we can do for them.”

Challenge 2: Women hesitate to speak up and take opportunities

Female executives are more compassionate, empathetic, and cautious, according to a Pew Research Center survey. Those traits have many potential advantages. But they can also hold women back.

Respondents said Chinese women spend more time on major decisions or wait to express their opinions, which can be perceived negatively. More than 80% of respondents said being risk averse or waiting to be well prepared before speaking is a barrier to their advancement.

“Sometimes my female subordinates prefer to wait and not speak up when they have great ideas,” said David Wang, Asia president of Buhler Group, a multinational equipment manufacturer. “We should give them support, even slight pushes, so they will stop hesitating and speak up.”

Women also find it harder to pursue challenging assignments that widen their skill sets. Nearly 60% of women said they hesitate to reach out to senior leaders for opportunities out of fear they’ll make a mistake.

Challenge 3: Women feel excluded from male-dominated networks

On average, women hold only about 19% of executive seats in China. The percentage is even lower in some industries and company types (see Figure 8). Since most leadership circles are composed of men, networking opportunities and social norms are male-dominated and harder for women to break into.

“It was difficult for me to participate in men’s social activities, such as after-work beer or the smoking corner,” said Angela Zhu, former IKEA China CEO, who recalled her experience in Germany. “As a woman, I’m naturally excluded from these activities, or I don’t want to join them.”

Being excluded from social events can shorten women’s careers because it prevents them from gaining sponsorship—which was one of the key drivers cited by female executives. In our survey, about 80% of women said lack of access to executive networks makes it harder to get senior sponsors. More than half said it was more difficult to build high-level connections across the business.

“It is not that easy for women to enter male-dominant networks or social activities. That makes it harder for women to build connections in the workplace, and they need to build their own supporting networks intentionally,” said Xin Tong, PhD, a professor of sociology at Peking University.

Challenge 4: Women are unconsciously biased by an “average” view

Women also face unconscious biases—namely, that all women are “average” and perform the same. In contrast, men are usually recognized by their individual capabilities and characteristics.

According to our research, women in the workplace are perceived as less committed, less confident, and less ambitious (see Figure 9).

A male COO from an industrial goods company summarized some of this biased thinking. He said, “By default, we think women aren’t capable enough to be the CEO of an industrial goods company. We assume that they’re less effective in building relationships and negotiating.”

As a result of bias, nearly half of the respondents believe they receive fewer challenging tasks and opportunities to develop at their workplace.

Envac China CEO Aiying Wang recalled witnessing bias. When the company hired a program facilitator, a male colleague assumed the supporting role would be filled by a woman. Wang said companies and men are not acting out of malice, but the results are the same. “Unconscious bias partially results in less challenging tasks and fewer opportunities for women,” she said.

“Bias also leads to unfair evaluation of females,” according to Angela Zhu. She said, “When a company wants to promote someone, it’s possible they choose a male candidate rather than a female because of unconscious bias, even if they are equally capable and have demonstrated the same level of performance.”

The women we surveyed agreed. If a man and a woman deliver the same results, women believe the company would favor the man. Forty-seven percent said bias about women “being average” makes it harder for them to receive due recognition.

The “average” bias also limits women’s career potential. Women stop being promoted to CFO and CEO positions around age 50, and leadership is mostly turned over to men (see Figure 10).

How to unlock women’s leadership potential

With deliberate action, companies and women can overcome these barriers and unlock women’s leadership potential in the workplace (see Figure 11).

Actions for companies

To thrive, companies in China need to create an equitable environment for men and women. They should:

Ensure leadership commitment. Board members and CEOs need to agree that gender parity is a business priority. Priorities turn into plans, timelines, and goals.

With top-down support, companies can create gender targets for the organization. Targets force leaders to proactively identify high-potential women, develop succession plans for female candidates, and give women more chances to learn and grow.

Companies should also track and share their progress toward gender balance. They can collect data about head counts, hiring decisions, promotions, and exits, and analyze the data by gender. Employee surveys and compensation studies can also illuminate barriers for women.

Foster an inclusive culture. Companies should work to remove unconscious biases and ensure both genders are treated fairly at work, including during selections and performance reviews. Men and women should be compensated equitably for their contributions, too.

Companies should establish clear expectations around inclusive behavior and help employees identify and overcome potential biases. They can also promote female role models and highlight their success to help men and women see past stereotypes.

Build equitable support systems. Because household burdens traditionally fall more heavily on women’s shoulders, women need more help from employers.

Employees at all levels of the organization should be offered and accept family support or flexible working options. When leaders practice family support at scale, it removes stigmas and invites more employees to participate. If men sign on to parental leave and flexible work benefits, they will become more widely accepted.

Establish female-focused networking platforms. To catch up to men, women need more formal pathways to networking, sponsorship, and training.

Roundtables and regular events should feature executive leaders (both male and female) so women gain exposure to higher-level leaders and make connections. Sponsorship and succession planning for women should be systematic and formalized to create pipelines of strong female candidates.

Women will also benefit from training. Networking, relationship-building, and communicating are skill deficits that women believe are holding them back—and can be overcome.

Actions for aspiring women

Share ambitions and ask for help. Women should share their career ambitions with family members and ask for help from spouses and elders. Executive women also propose adopting a new mindset: Instead of sacrificing their careers for family, view women as role models for supporting their families (and communities and the greater economy) through work.

Act confidently. Notice tendencies to avoid risk, back down, or stay quiet—and challenge yourself and other women to speak up. Ask for feedback and support to become more vocal and valuable in meetings. Confidence builds over time with practice and learning. Start speaking up and confidence will follow.

Build networks intentionally. Relationship-building is a skill. With practice, women can learn to build professional relationships in a way that feels natural and comfortable to them. Be intentional when building connections so they lead toward skills development, mentorship, or sponsorship. When given the chance, sponsor and develop other high-potential women. And do not rule out participating in male networks.

Combat bias. Celebrate women’s accomplishments and strengths. If women are treated unfairly at work, confront the behavior. When men and women recognize bias, they can challenge the underlying thinking and change it.

Conclusion

Chinese women have not risen to the top levels of leadership like men have, despite having similar odds at the start of their careers, and their absence is affecting everyone. To improve financial performance, fill critical talent gaps, and advance a host of other metrics, Chinese companies need more women at the helm.

Gender equity will not happen overnight or by accident, especially in industries that are dominated by men today. Acknowledge the gap, then get to work.

Companies can start by establishing a long-term vision with measurable targets. Then, assign leaders and hold them accountable. Ask women for feedback about their experiences. Listen. Analyze. Then act.

Always, we encourage you to recognize and celebrate women who make outstanding contributions and ask you to create opportunities for more women to follow.