INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY | RECEPTION AT THE SPANISH EMBASSY

Three weeks ago, the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in the United Kingdom held its annual reception for International Women’s Day, hosted at the residence of the Spanish Ambassador to the UK. Now in its second edition, this event provides a unique opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women in business and society at large. Over 200 guests attended the event, showing their support for the cause.  

The Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to promoting the values of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). In line with this commitment, Raquel Barrera, an EDI expert and member of the Board of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in the UK, presented the findings of the “Women’s Voice Report,” a survey conducted among women associated with the Chamber. The guests were warmly welcomed by the Spanish Ambassador to the UK, H.E. José Pascual Marco, who emphasized in his speech that achieving gender equality “has been the most important struggle of the 20th and 21st centuries.” Indeed, the Embassy itself supports this effort by giving women a platform in the workplace and making them a central focus of its diplomatic strategy.  

Following H.E. the Ambassador’s speech, Ms. Barrera proceeded to present the report, which revealed significant insights: 58% of the women surveyed believe that their respective organizations consider equal opportunities in their employment policies, and 62% feel comfortable sharing their opinions and viewpoints. However, the survey also highlighted areas needing further progress: 66% of the women surveyed believe they do not have equal opportunities regarding professional development, and 68% feel it is more likely that they will face workplace discrimination compared to men. Ms. Barrera also noted that, according to the survey, most organizations within the Chamber view gender equity as a core value, and she hopes they will continue advancing toward this goal.  

After the survey presentation, Ms. Barrera introduced the guest of honor, Amy Clemitshaw, Deputy Director for Women and Girls at the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. Ms. Clemitshaw underscored several significant steps in advancing gender equality. In diplomacy, for instance, 10 of the British ambassadors to G20 countries last year were women, although she acknowledged that much progress still needs to be made. She stressed that gender equality requires “a contribution from the entire society,” including businesses and the private sector. Ms. Clemitshaw also emphasized that this cause is worthwhile because it benefits society as a whole and is “fundamental for healthy democracies.”  

As an institution dedicated to strengthening Spanish-British institutional relations, the Chamber deeply thanks Ms. Clemitshaw for her presence and the important message she shared on behalf of the British government. Special thanks are also due to Ms. Barrera for her hard work and dedication in preparing and presenting the “Women’s Voice Report.” Ms. Barrera leads the Chamber’s strategy on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and we wish to highlight her commitment to implementing this strategy.  

At the Chamber, we recognize that bilateral relations extend beyond economic matters. On this International Women’s Day, we sought to emphasize the connection between gender equality and global prosperity, as well as the importance of continuing the work to achieve both goals.