AS Watson Leads In Gender Equity By Supporting UN Women's Empowerment Principles

HONG KONG SAR - As the world gears up to celebrate International Women's Day, AS Watson, a leading name in the global health and beauty retail sector, has taken a significant step by becoming the first in its industry to join the Women's Empowerment Principles. This initiative, spearheaded by UN Women, aims at promoting gender equality and empowering women across various spheres of life. AS Watson's commitment is reflected in its efforts to create an inclusive environment that champions the growth and empowerment of women in the workplace, marketplace, and community.

Malina Ngai, CEO of AS Watson (Asia & Europe), expressed the company's dedication to empowering women, highlighting that over 80% of its 160 million members and more than 70% of its 130,000 colleagues are women. The company prioritizes inspiring and supporting women to achieve their fullest potential and fosters an inclusive culture where women's contributions are valued and they have equal opportunities for career advancement. AS Watson aims to inspire women to embrace 'The New Beautiful', a concept that celebrates inner beauty.

AS Watson's commitment extends to the medical and healthcare fields through its partnership with Operation Smile in the Women in Medicine programme. This initiative focuses on providing educational opportunities and specialty training for women, enabling them to become leaders in medicine, healthcare, and surgery. The programme has already facilitated the training of 30 female plastic surgeons through all-women surgical and educational programmes. AS Watson has pledged to sponsor a total of 10,000 surgeries by 2030, demonstrating its commitment to making a tangible impact.

In alignment with the "Inspire Inclusion" theme of International Women's Day, AS Watson and its 12 retail brands across 28 markets are set to launch a series of empowerment activities targeting both employees and customers. The "Our Time is Now" campaign by Watsons marks the beginning of these initiatives, aiming to empower women to embrace their true selves. Activities planned include sponsorship of YWCA's "ChariTea" programme in Hong Kong, the "Green Ribbon" campaign by Watsons Thailand, and a partnership with Women's Run Ph by Watsons Philippines to promote women's health through an active lifestyle.

In Europe, Superdrug is spotlighting health and beauty brands founded by women and organizing empowerment programmes for female colleagues. Drogas is set to host the Ladies' School event, offering skincare and makeup tips to inspire confidence among women. The Perfume Shop is curating inspirational videos for its female colleagues, encouraging them to excel.

Leading the Charge in Women's Empowerment

AS Watson stands at the forefront of promoting gender equality and empowering women. Ngai emphasizes the company's passion for creating a world where equality and inclusion prevail, recognizing and valuing everyone's uniqueness. The company is committed to advocating for women's empowerment and encourages participation from customers, colleagues, and business partners in contributing towards a better world.

With its comprehensive approach towards fostering gender equality and empowering women, AS Watson is not only fulfilling its corporate responsibility but also setting an example for others in the industry to follow. The hashtag #aswatson marks this initiative as part of a broader movement towards creating an inclusive society where every woman has the opportunity to succeed.