Hello everyone! I am Nikita Abelia, currently serving as the Digital Communication Intern at Forest Interactive. In honor of this year’s International Women’s Day, I embarked on a journey to commemorate and celebrate the invaluable contributions of women. Let me share with you all my journey alongside Forest Interactive’s initiative to mark this significant occasion.
Growing up surrounded by women has granted me insight into the silent battles they face each day, including those of my loved ones. This understanding inspired me to create a platform shedding light on the unspoken challenges many women endure, often due to the fear of speaking out. Therefore, as part of Forest Interactive’s Passion Project initiative, which encourages interns to explore their passions through dedicated projects, I eagerly contribute to International Women’s Day (IWD) by creating an opportunity for our Forest Interactive talents to share their thoughts and feelings.
My initiative encompassed two main components:
A Weeklong Journey in Honor of International Women’s Day
Over four days, I orchestrated an IWD campaign aimed at fostering awareness among all Forest Interactive talents about the essence of this commemorative day. Each day was dedicated to specific themes:
- Day 1: The Origin and Significance of International Women’s Day: Understanding its Roots and Importance
- Day 2: Real-Life Gender Inequality: Exploring Françoise Brougher’s Case and Its Broader Implications in Malaysia
- Day 3: The Universal Impact of International Women’s Day: How Gender Equality Benefits Everyone
- Day 4: Inspiring Inclusion: Fostering Workplace Diversity and Promoting Inclusivity in Our Daily Lives
(Image of Day 2 of International Womens Day Campaign)
It has been truly inspiring to witness the enthusiastic participation of everyone in our internal International Women’s Day campaign. Each talent’s involvement, from sharing their thoughts to actively participating in polls and discussions, has contributed significantly to our collective understanding and appreciation of this important day. Moving forward, I am optimistic that our continued efforts will further promote awareness and cultivate a culture of respect and equality within our organization.
Sharing Stories of Inclusion
This initiative connected me with five remarkable individuals at Forest Interactive, offering a captivating journey into the diversity of human experiences. Across genders, nationalities, and career industries, each conversation served as a reminder of the profound significance of embracing diversity in its entirety. It underscored the importance of embracing diversity in all its forms. I interviewed five talents altogether for this initiative.
The participants were:
- Izzat Abidin, Digital Content Writer, Creative & Multimedia
- Anita Azman, People Generalist Intern, People Operations
- Saeed Shafi, Manager – Software Development, Software Development
- Tanusha Segaran, Payroll Specialist, People Operations
- Ashley Foo, People Generalist, People Operations
From Abidin’s perspective on breaking gender norms in the creative industry, which is traditionally dominated by women, to Segaran’s commitment to inclusivity through attentive listening, ensuring everyone feels valued and heard in her daily interactions, it was an eye-opening moment for me to hear firsthand the diverse perspectives on the importance of International Women’s Day with stories of its impact on gender equality and empowerment. Moreover, our conversations. I delved deeper into inclusivity through personal experiences shared during the interview and explored strategies for promoting inclusion in our daily lives.
Check out the entire video on Forest Interactive’s Instagram and Linkedin pages!
Forest Interactive’s Dedication to Inclusivity
As we commemorate International Women’s Day 2024, themed ‘Inspire Inclusion,’ Forest Interactive proudly reaffirms its commitment. Throughout our journey, we have consistently championed inclusivity through impactful initiatives. Each tailored to celebrate and uplift the achievements of women.
#InspireInclusion Campaign and Support for Female Entrepreneurs
Our #InspireInclusion campaign invited talents to strike a pose that symbolizes inclusivity. In return, they were rewarded with curated gifts from local businesses led by inspiring women entrepreneurs. This initiative not only honored the significance of the day but also directly empowered female-led ventures, aligning seamlessly with Forest Interactive’s ethos of empowerment and recognition. Furthermore, it underscored the company’s commitment to supporting gender equality in entrepreneurship.
Spreading Sweet Appreciation
Forest Interactive took a sweet approach to express appreciation and support for its talents. Chocolates adorned with words of encouragement were distributed, creating a delightful atmosphere filled with positivity. But the sweetness didn’t end there. Talents were given the choice to either enjoy the chocolate themselves or to write uplifting messages to pass the chocolate along to their colleagues. As a result, this initiative not only brought smiles but also fostered a sense of unity and camaraderie. It strengthened bonds within our Forest Interactive family.
Ringing for Change
Expanding our celebrations, Forest Interactive participated in the recent ‘Ring the Bell for Gender Equality’ event hosted at Bursa Malaysia. This global initiative aimed to unite businesses worldwide in recognizing the pivotal role of women’s economic empowerment in fostering growth and development.
Nen Lin Soo, our Head of Corporate PR, proudly shared how Forest Interactive leveraged technology to implement and promote gender diversity and inclusion. She spoke passionately alongside esteemed panelists featuring Dr. Hezri Adnan, Director of Group Sustainability; Aina Zahari, Director of Corporate Strategy at Bursa Malaysia, Sze Phing Chuah, Group Chief Sustainability Officer & Head of Group Marketing and Communications at Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd; and Amy Baum an International Consultant specializing in Women’s Economic Empowerment from UN Women Asia and the Pacific.
Leveraging this platform, Forest Interactive seized the opportunity to share knowledge and experiences, reinforcing its dedication to implementing gender equality practices in the workplace. In doing so, the company highlighted ongoing efforts, such as employing 60% women in higher roles. This serves as an inspiration to others, nurturing a culture of inclusivity and empowerment.
A Hopeful Reflection
Reflecting on the collective efforts of Forest Interactive and my involvement in the International Women’s Day passion project, I am hopeful that our dedication to fostering a diverse and inclusive society will lead to significant strides in achieving gender equality. While acknowledging that the world may not immediately cease inequality faced by women, I find satisfaction in our initiatives. Additionally, the opportunity to amplify their unheard voices fills me with a sense of accomplishment. Contributing to the gender equality movement, I hope other talents within our Forest Interactive share similar sentiments.
Let’s continue to work together in empowering and uplifting women, both within ourselves and in society as a whole.
Happy International Women’s Day from all of us at Forest Interactive!
