Reflections from Gender Equality Ambassadors; Sylvia Yu Friedman, Halima Iqbal, Olivia Cotes-James and Pat Dwyer
The AVPN Global Conference 2025 in Hong Kong brought together over 1,550 changemakers from across Asia and beyond, creating an unparalleled space for collaboration, learning, and collective action on social impact. For AVPN’s Gender Equality Ambassadors, the week offered fresh insights, meaningful connections, and a renewed commitment to advancing gender equity.
Sylvia Yu Friedman: Insights from the Asia Gender Network Day
The Conference began for Sylvia with the Asia Gender Network Day, an intimate gathering of powerhouse women leaders and changemakers. Leading a workshop on philanthropy and the power of storytelling, she shared how narratives can ignite action and influence strategic decisions.
“Connecting with visionary leaders in social impact investing, family offices, and corporate philanthropy was deeply inspiring,” Sylvia reflects. “Every conversation reinforced the power of collaboration and the importance of amplifying women’s voices to drive meaningful change.”
Halima Iqbal: Unlocking the Potential of Women-Led Enterprises
Halima Iqbal focused on a session spotlighting women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as engines of growth and resilience across Asia. She notes that these businesses generate 63% of new manufacturing jobs in India alone, yet face a persistent credit gap of more than USD 11 billion.
“The discussion highlighted that unlocking capital for women entrepreneurs goes beyond funding. It requires ecosystem-wide solutions, from policymakers to impact investors,” Halima says. “It was a powerful reminder that collaboration is key to scaling impact and supporting women-led enterprises across the region.”
Olivia Cotes-James: Inclusion in Action
For Olivia, one of the most powerful signals of gender equity came not from a plenary, but from a simple, everyday gesture. AVPN became a Good Period Partner, ensuring the Conference supported menstrual health by stocking every washroom with free organic cotton LUÜNA menstrual products.
“This small act spoke volumes,” Olivia reflects. “It told every attendee, regardless of gender, that periods are part of life and deserve the same consideration as any other basic need.”
The impact was immediate. Guests shared that the provision “saved them” during the Conference, proving how simple measures can remove barriers and model a more equitable future. “Seeing a global conference treat menstrual care as essential rather than optional felt like a glimpse of the culture we are striving for,” Olivia adds. “One where equity and sustainability are not side projects, but woven into the everyday.”
Pat Dwyer: Conversations That Spark Positive Change
Pat was energised by sessions that explored enablers and barriers to collaboration, along with the importance of systems-level thinking at the grassroots. Yet, for her, the greatest value came through the connections AVPN makes possible.
“By far, the best one-to-one conversations consistently happen at AVPN conferences, where people really make the most of discussions outside curated sessions,” Pat shares. “The network’s breadth and impact remain unwavering, and the sessions on collaboration and grassroots challenges were genuinely thought-provoking.”
Conference Takeaways
Across their experiences, the ambassadors highlighted what makes AVPN distinct and a global force for social impact: the blend of big ideas, practical solutions, and authentic connections.
Sylvia sums it up: “This year, I left the conference with new friendships, strengthened partnerships, and a renewed commitment to impact. The depth of conversations and dedication of everyone in the room was truly transformative.”
For AVPN’s Gender Equality Ambassadors, the AVPN Global Conference 2025 was not only about exchanging ideas, it was also a rallying call that reinforced their mission to champion gender equity and create sustainable, systemic transformation across Asia.
