The growing influence of women in Hong Kong

In June, Bernardita Catalla took on her post this month as Philippine Consul General in Hong Kong. She is the latest addition to the growing number of female diplomats occupying the top spot of their respective consulates in Hong Kong.

More than one-sixth of the consul generals in Hong Kong today are women, and their influence is growing. As the city’s role as a hub for international deal-making develops with the Mainland’s economic stature, women are increasingly becoming high-profile in this male-dominated global financial city.

Hong Kong’s diplomatic corps may be going through an irreversible gender shift. Consulates in Hong Kong that have a woman at the helm include South Africa, Austria, Italy, Sweden, Mexico, Britain, Brunei, Romania, Vietnam and Switzerland.

But some contend the gender split in the diplomatic service drops for women in higher ranks, because more of them tend to devote more time at home.

Women in the corporate world see a similar trend, Ernst & Young reports, because those in senior organizational ranks either fail to get promoted, or decide to quit their jobs.

There are the exceptions, though. There are the working mothers in Hong Kong who have achieved senior positions and have opted to carry on with their careers even after childbirth, helping create gender diversity in the work place.

For Catalla, being single has its blessings, and being the latest woman diplomat in the city brings with it another level of diplomacy on gender equality.