Women Empowering Children: IWD Panel a Success

March 8 is a special day for women around the world. 

CIS commemorated International Women’s Day on March 8 with an inspirational panel discussion featuring an international, all-female line-up of four prominent working mothers in the Guangzhou community. 

Gracing the stage was Consul-General of Italy in Guangzhou Ms. Lucia Pasqualini, Her Majesty’s Consul-General of the British Consulate in Guangzhou Ms. Jo Hawley, CEO of Canadian International Education Organization Winnie Chen, and General Manager of Guangzhou United Family Hospital Dr. Kelly Xia.

 What is the purpose of this event?

The purpose of this panel discussion was to engage CIS students and help them understand the importance of gender equality and equity, and to help them realise that they are changemakers. Through the education that our students receive today at CIS, they can go on to make change tomorrow, for a better future and an equal society.

Moderated by CIS Director of Communications and Community Relations Ms. Lena Gidwani, the candid conversation ranged widely from the need to prioritize and lead by example, to the vital role of education and the essential challenge of encouraging today’s generation, both boys and girls, to change the conversation and stand up for gender equality and equity. The enthralled audience of students and guests also got an opportunity to ask the panelists several questions, who empowered them to #ChooseToChallenge for a better, equal future for men and women around the world.

“If we want to make change, we have to start with this generation. We say a lot but we need to act now.”

——Lucia Pasqualini, Consul-General of Italy in Guangzhou

“Both women and men need to stand up and fight for fairness. Only with fairness will we be strong together, both today and tomorrow.”

——Jo Hawley, Her Majesty’s Consul-General of the British Consulate in Guangzhou

“If we start teaching children the importance of gender equality from an early age, we can break through the barriers. An excellent school like CIS knows the value of teaching their students about gender equality for a better, equal society.”

——Dr. Kelly Xia, General Manager of Guangzhou United Family Hospital

“Children are our changemakers and education is a bridge to help current and future generations make positive changes for our global community.”

——Winnie Chen, CEO of the Canadian International Educational Organization

CIS is committed to gender equality. 

As an international school, International Women’s Day is just one of the ways in which CIS inspires and empowers all students to problem solve, think critically and make positive changes in our global community.