3 minutes read
To mark International Women’s Day 2025, AVPN celebrated the transformative power of women’s leadership with a conversation between two influential changemakers: Naina Subberwal Batra, CEO of AVPN and Olivia Cotes‐James, founder of LUÜNA, a woman-led social enterprise providing organic cotton period products for offices, schools, and public spaces across Asia. The discussion delved into the critical challenges and opportunities for accelerating gender equality across Asia while championing the importance of bold, innovative partnerships.
Charting the Current Landscape
Naina set the tone by examining the state of gender equality in Asia. While recognising notable progress—particularly in narrowing education and health gaps—she emphasised that systemic barriers remain deeply entrenched. “Progress is visible, but it is not coming at the pace or scale that we need,” Naina noted. Women continue to face unequal access to capital, remain underrepresented in decision-making roles, and are constrained by persistent societal norms. Moreover, the burden of unpaid care work and the disproportionate impact of climate change further compound these challenges. “When we invest in women, we see better health, education and economic outcomes for the entire community,” she added, underscoring that investing in women is as much an economic imperative as it is a moral one.
Addressing Critical Issues Through Lived Experience
Olivia shared her professional mission behind LUÜNA , which aims to tackle period inequality by improving access to quality products and menstrual health education. The pioneering brand aims to ensure that every washroom in Asia offers sustainable period care.
Born in New Zealand, raised in the UK, and now based in Hong Kong, Olivia has become a leading voice on menstrual equity in Asia.
“Period poverty describes a lack of access to the support, care and resources needed to manage menstruation safely and with confidence,” she explained. Drawing on recent survey insights, Olivia revealed how period poverty disrupts lives in both corporate and community settings. “We found that a significant number of women have missed work or faced setbacks simply because they didn’t have access to adequate menstrual products,” she observed. Her passionate account brought to light the urgent need for systemic change, making the case that menstrual equity is fundamental to realising gender equality.
The Financing Gap and the Call for Gender Lens Investing
The critical issue of funding was a key talking point during the discussion. Women-led businesses receive less than 5% of venture capital and private equity funding. “Traditional investment models and philanthropic frameworks have long overlooked the transformative potential of women entrepreneurs,” Naina remarked. Olivia echoed this sentiment, recalling her own early-career experiences: “Investors dismissed my pioneering solutions as niche, despite menstrual health challenges affecting a vast segment of our population.” Both leaders agreed that gender lens investing and more inclusive funding models are vital for unlocking the full potential of women’s leadership in Asia.
A Call-to-Action for Lasting Change
As the conversation drew to a close, both Naina and Olivia issued a passionate call-to-action: “Leverage your influence, channel capital towards impactful solutions, and advocate for policies that create safe, inclusive environments for all.” They invited investors, corporate leaders, and members of giving networks to join them in making bold, catalytic changes that will transform gender equality from aspiration into reality.
Under Naina’s visionary leadership—growing AVPN’s membership more than fourfold since 2013—and with trailblazers like Olivia leading the charge, we are building a future where every woman is empowered to lead, innovate, and transform our world.
Join us in celebrating this inspiring dialogue by watching the full video below!
