AS Watson Supports Gender Equity with Commitment to Women's Empowerment Principles by UN Women
As International Women's Day approaches, AS Watson, the world's largest international health and beauty retailer, proudly announces that it’s the first health and beauty retailer to be a signatory of the Women's Empowerment Principles, a global movement under UN Women (United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment) dedicated to advancing gender equity and women's empowerment. In support of this movement, AS Watson strengthens its commitment to fostering a workplace, marketplace, and community that promotes inclusivity and opportunities for women.
"At AS Watson, we are dedicated to empowering women to be more beautiful and confident. With over 80% of our 160 million members and over 70% of our 130,000 colleagues being women, our top priority is to inspire and support every woman to become the best version of themselves. We are also proud to create an inclusive work culture where women are valued and offered equal opportunities for career growth. AS Watson aspires to leverage our scale for good and inspire every woman to radiate beauty from the inside out. We believe in The New Beautiful - a new kind of beauty that exists within everyone."
- Malina Ngai, CEO of AS Watson (Asia & Europe)
Nurturing Women in Medicine and Healthcare
AS Watson’s commitment to women's empowerment is demonstrated through its partnership with Operation Smile in the Women in Medicine programme, which empowers women in the medical and healthcare fields by providing them with educational opportunities and specialty training for them to become global leaders in medicine, healthcare, and surgery.
This programme has successfully trained 30 female plastic surgeons through all-women surgical and educational programmes and thousands of smiles will be reconstructed every year. AS Watson is committed to sponsoring a total of 10,000 surgeries by 2030.
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Driving Positive Change Worldwide
In echo with the “Inspire Inclusion” theme of International Women’s Day, AS Watson and its 12 retail brands across 28 markets will launch a series of women empowerment activities for both their people and customers.
Watsons will kick off with "Our Time is Now" campaign on International Women's Day, furthering the commitment to empowering women to be their true selves. Throughout the month, Watsons will actively engage the community through a range of activities.
In Asia, Watsons will sponsor YWCA's "ChariTea" programme in Hong Kong, supporting self-financed women empowerment services for women in marital adversity, young mothers, and strengthening elderly services while Watsons Thailand is organising "Green Ribbon" campaign, encouraging women to unleash their full potential and donating all proceeds to the Association for the Promotion of the Status of Woman, helping women and children with mental and physical issues. Moreover, Watsons Philippines will partner with Women's Run Ph for promoting women’s health through active lifestyle, inviting 5,000 women to celebrate through running.
In Europe, Superdrug will feature the health and beauty brands founded by women across its stores and organise a series of programmes to empower its female colleagues including photo competition and podcasts. Drogas will host the Ladies' School event, sharing skincare and makeup tips with female customers to inspire them to lead confident and beautiful lives. Meanwhile, The Perfume Shop has curated inspirational videos for its female colleagues, empowering them to become the best versions of themselves.
Leading the Charge in Women's Empowerment
As the leading health and beauty retailer, AS Watson is dedicated to contributing to create impact, and promoting gender equality, empowering women, and building a more inclusive world for all. Ngai emphasises;
"We believe that empowering women is not only our responsibility, but also our passion for creating a world with equality and inclusion, where every one’s uniqueness is recognised and valued. We cannot achieve it alone, so we will continue to advocate women empowerment and encourage more customers, colleagues and business partners to join us in contributing to a better world."
ICI PARIS XL's Women Empowerment
Within the theme of empowerment, ICI PARIS XL has already launched a number of initiatives over the past few years, with more to come this year. For example, ICI PARIS XL has researched empowerment and inclusivity within beauty, because they want everyone to be able to shine as themselves. You can find an overview of some of these intiatives here:
One of these initiatives is Think Pink, an organization dedicated to breast cancer patients and their environment, with which ICI PARIS XL has been in partnership since 2017. Together they give a helping hand by supporting innovative research, for example, and try to ensure more self-confidence as well as a smile.
The parents of children with a schisis in developing countries often do not have the financial means to have their children operated on. That is why they work together with Operation Smile, and together make sure that the future looks bright for them as well.
Nanou Van Dyck
Valérie Kerstens