International Women's Day - A Day to Celebrate?

Is it really appropriate to speak of "celebrations" on International Women's Day, given the fact that even today, in the 21st century, the genders are still not equal in politics, business, education and health? Isn't the realization that, according to current calculations, it will take 135.6 years to achieveequality a cause for resignation?

Well, the fact is that we still have a long way to go. In order to successfully move equality forward and ideally even to shorten it, it is essential to raise awareness of the hurdles that still need to be overcome and the deficits that still need to be closed. This is a key function of the day. It is is also important to celebrate the important work and accomplishments that have taken place.  These achievements are worthy of recognition. What women have achieved since the first International Women's Day, over a century ago, what battles they have fought, should and must be celebrated.

There was another context that made us question talking about celebrations on International Women's Day: The dramatic and distressing images and news arriving daily from the war in Ukraine. Could activities on IWD be taken as inappropriate in these times? It quickly became clear: Despite or even especially in these times, such a day must not be lost. After all, it is women who are often among those who suffer most in wars and other crises. Women's Day 2022 should be symbolically dedicated to them, to women in Ukraine and in other crisis situations.

Equal opportunities, gender equity and diversity are important elements of our corporate culture and we celebrated International Women’s Day with this in mind. Even if the circumstances differ locally and the challenges may seem greater in some places than elsewhere, there was a sense of solidarity around the Covestro globe on this day.

Internal actions a complete success

Even in the run-up to IWD, numerous Covestro employees worldwide participated in the IWD photo campaign and submitted photos in which they symbolically expressed their willingness to break down prejudices and stereotypes by crossing their arms. This year's participation was so high that a mosaic could be formed from all the photos as an overall construct that visualized the message "#Breakthebias."

An internal campaign, "Let's think colorful!" made its impact in the weeks and months leading up to IWD. Organized by the employee resource group COMPASS (a women focused ERG) GER, a total of five sessions were held on equity topics. These included, for instance, presentations and discussions on topics such as "Harassment in the Workplace" and "Unconscious Bias in the Workplace." Ideas that contribute to improving gender equity at Covestro were invited to be submitted over the course of the events. Participation was high and from across the globe.  Many viable ideas were generated andthe best were honored at an awards ceremony on International Women's Day itself.

External event - Covestro board member Sucheta Govil in a role model function

For Board Member Sucheta Govil, the day is a matter close to her heart. It is very important to her that Covestro supports activities for a more equal world and that all employees are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Together with female board members from other industrial companies, she took part in a LinkedIn Live Talk to share her views in public.

In the process, she shared her opinion on current and controversial topics and also revealed very personal stories and experiences.

On a local level, many different actions took place and colleagues used the day to address equity issues. It was impressive to see how the day was interpreted and implemented in different cultures.

Mexico - A digital event based on the motto #Breakthebias

Following this year's IWD motto, the COMPASS employee network in Mexico hosted a virtual event. "#Breakthebias" ran through the three sections of the event.

In the first part, an external speaker from Argentina, Maria Lujan Bianchi, Compliance, Diversity and Equality Specialist, was invited. She clarified which manifestations of bias are common in companies and what negative effects this can have on gender equity. The importance of recognizing prejudices in order to reduce them quickly became apparent.

Afterwards, a video was shown which illustrates in an emotional way how colleagues overcome prejudices on a daily basis.

The event concluded with an open discussion: three colleagues (Liz Aguirre and Mary Carmen Ávalos and Iván Escalante) shared their formative experiences and moments in their personal and professional careers that pushed them to cross existing boundaries and break down prejudice and bias.

Spain - Equality in science and industry

Same language, different country: Spain also took the day to address gender equality issues. Six local female colleagues took part in the "Women with Chemistry" campaign. This is fostered by the national trade association FEIQUE and aims to value the role of women in the industry. The participants: Laura Mata (HSQ), Noemí Ferrer (Manager of Basic Chemicals), Elena Ilzarbe (Production Expert), Mònica Escrigas (Manufacturing Engineer).

In addition, the head of HSQ, Mercè Roigé, participated in a podcast (#ODS5) of the Barcelona Free Zone Consortium. In the episode, she analyzed the role of women in science and industry, including chemistry, and the existing barriers to achieve full equality. The full episode, for re-listening for Spanish speakers, can be found here.

China - A whole show on IWD and more

We now take a look at Asia, China to be precise. As a kick-off event, the first meeting of the local edition of the COMPASS employee network was hosted here on March 7. Focus: The professional growth and development of women at various stages of their careers on the topic of "Expanding your presence as a leader."

Covestro China President Holly Lei took the opportunity to share personal experiences. In doing so, she also provided valuable tips in terms of improved training, growth, energy management and influence. Participants also contributed their current viewpoints from different angles.

Various activities were also held on International Women's Day itself. Under the motto #Breakthebias, the Covestro Shanghai Qiantan Forum talk show was held. For this purpose, guests from the industry (Dr. Zhang Yi, Regional President of DuPont Asia-Pacific, Christine Liu, Founder and Chairwoman of sHero, together with Holly Lei, Covestro China President, and Lily Wang, Global Head of BE Engineering Plastics) were invited to share their stories. This was followed by a workshop on " Psychological issue of women under different physical period”. A panel discussion on " Female Power under Crisis" in the evening concluded the day.

United States - #Breakthebias and celebrate the contributions of women

In the U.S. March is Women’s History Month.  In addition to celebrating International Women’s Day on March 8, Women’s History Month was also recognized and celebrated.  March 1 three Employee Resource Groups; COMPASS, UNITE (LGBTQ+ focused ERG_ and Toastmasters (Public Speaking focused ERG) recognized Women’s History Month and Zero Discrimination Day by hosting Mark Murphy, author and DEI speaker with Franklin Covey, in a session focused on recognizing and challenging bias.  The event was well attended and participants walked away with an understanding of the importance of diversity, equity & inclusion as well as importance of breaking bias.  On March 8 in recognition of International Women’s Day COMPASS in Baytown, TX facilitated a panel discussion which shared contributions and challenges of women in the industry.  The Newark, OH site recognized the contributions of female employees through empowering appreciation gifts and other sites and business areas recognized both the day and the month in a variety of ways. Closing out the month, during the U.S. townhall facts about Women’s History Month, International Women’s Day, and how to promote gender equality were shared.

Germany - Under the sign of Women's Empowerment and MINT

Returning to Germany: The day before the IWD, there was an Eigenland workshop on the topic of "Gender" in the field of Process Technology. Markus Dugal, Head of Process Technology, discussed this topic with 40 people from different countries in his area. The group discussed how gender equality is perceived in the team and what concrete steps each individual can take to make a difference today.

On March 12, there was also participation in the "Womens Power Day" in Grevenbroich. This was organized by the Women's Union at the St. Joseph youth center. In addition to Covestro, the women's counseling center and the family office also took part, among others. Besides our Employer Branding colleague Daniel Avanzato, Karolin, a chemical laboratory assistant, was also present. At the Covestro booth, participants had the opportunity to build a mini helicopter. In this way, MINT topics could be made tangible.

That was just a small sample of everything that happened on and around March 8. A wide range of different and exciting actions also took place at many other Covestro sites.

In the end, there is only one last thing to say: Every day is International Women's Day. Even if March 8 is important in its function of raising awareness and celebrating achievements, it is at least as important to give girls and women a voice on the other 364 days of the year and act accordingly. This is where each and every one is called upon. At least for the next 135.6 years - until discrimination, prejudice and inequality of opportunity have no more place in this world.