Co-hosted by Synpact and the Embassy of New Zealand

November 17, 2022

On November 17, 2022, Synpact and the Embassy of New Zealand co‑hosted a high‑level event in Beijing focused on exploring equity through a gender lens. The session brought together prominent leaders, including the New Zealand Ambassador to China and the Country Representative of UN Women in China, alongside business representatives from bp, Brunswick, Chayora, ConocoPhillips, Dow, ExxonMobil, FedEx, HPE, and LinkedIn. The gathering served as a platform to share gender‑responsive policies and best practices that enable women to succeed both professionally and personally.

A central takeaway was the critical distinction between equality and equity. Equality assumes that everyone should be treated identically and given the same access to resources, while equity recognises that individuals start from different positions due to systemic barriers. An equity‑based approach therefore allocates resources and opportunities according to specific needs, with the ultimate goal of achieving fair outcomes for all. This understanding positions Diversity and Equity as the means to achieve true Inclusion – the “E” in DEI must be viewed through this lens. Translating this concept into action requires a multi‑dimensional strategy that operates at three interconnected levels: cultural – acknowledging that diverse backgrounds shape different expectations, especially within multinational organisations; corporate – embedding equity goals into top‑down strategies and CEO‑driven agendas; and individual – stepping out of comfort zones, confronting unconscious biases, and speaking up with accountability.

Gender equity is a deeply complex issue, and raising awareness is only the first step. The private sector has both the power and the responsibility to lead by example – moving beyond rhetoric to concrete action. This journey demands continuous dialogue, capacity building, and collective reflection across all types of genders, cultures, and organizations. By improving our consciousness as individuals, leaders, and community members, and by strengthening institutional support, we can transform equity from an abstract ideal into a lived reality that benefits everyone.