Cover Nafeesa Saini, Rachel Duffell, Stephanie Tay, Dr Seema Bhathia-Panthaki, Naina Subberwal Batra, Dr Mary Ann Tsao, Ernawaty Sorianto, Elim Chew, Deborah Foo, Wendy Seah
Nafeesa Saini, Rachel Duffell, Stephanie Tay, Dr Seema Bhathia-Panthaki, Naina Subberwal Batra, Dr Mary Ann Tsao, Ernawaty Sorianto, Elim Chew, Deborah Foo, Wendy Seah
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AVPN hosted an intimate dinner in February in partnership with Tatler Front & Female to foster collaboration among women leaders, showcase the Asia Gender Network and push for gender equality across Asia
“We want no girl to be left behind. We want no girl to not be educated. We want no girl to be pushed into getting married when she doesn't want to. We want every girl to have a choice,” said Naina Subberwal Batra, CEO of AVPN, in her opening remarks at an exclusive dinner hosted by AVPN and Front & Female, Tatler Asia’s platform celebrating trailblazers and tackling the topics that impact women, on February 25 at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore.
Batra went on to share the importance of considering gender from the Asian context, which is the foundation of AVPN’s gender equality platform, Asia Gender Network (AGN). The platform was created in partnership with the Gates Foundation to look at women champions in Asia’s communities and to drive economic empowerment for women and girls and gender equality across Asia, and was highlighted by Batra during the event with a call to join, before a wider discussion on the importance of driving meaningful impact towards gender equality and how women have huge potential to make change.
See also: Integrating a gender lens into your giving can advance positive social and environmental change
Jaclyn Seow, Trina Liang-Lin, Ruth Yeoh, Serene Tan, Staphnie Tang
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Breaking barriers together
The evening kicked off with drinks and canapés as well as the opening remarks, before a panel discussion titled Accelerating Progress: Women Driving Change featuring Naina Subberwal Batra and Dr Mary Ann Tsao, chairwoman and founding director of the Tsao Foundation. Moderated by Rachel Duffell, regional content director of Front & Female, the conversation explored the power of women’s giving, the structural barriers that hinder progress, and how collective action, particularly through networks such as AVPN and its AGN platform, can shape the future of gender-focused philanthropy.
Above Naina Subberwal Batra, CEO, AVPN
Above Dr Mary Ann Tsao, chairwoman and founding director, Tsao Foundation
Naina Subberwal Batra, CEO, AVPN
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The two speakers discussed their philanthropic journeys, with Batra sharing her inspiration for championing gender equality and social impact through philanthropy, noting the prevalence of gender issues across Asia, and how AGN was established to address these disparities and elevate Asian women as role models. She stressed the importance of Asian women having visible role models to inspire and guide them.
Dr Tsao spoke about her family’s philanthropic journey, inspired by her grandmother’s vision to support older women. She emphasised the significance of applying a gender lens in philanthropy, ensuring resources reach the most vulnerable.
Naina Subberwal Batra and Dr Mary Ann Tsao discuss Accelerating Progress: Women Driving Change, moderated by Rachel Duffell
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Both speakers explored how we can address the structural barriers that women face, in particular by addressing our own unconscious biases as well as those of others, and discussed how younger generations are redefining philanthropy.
Batra emphasised that AGN is designed to support systemic change by mobilising funds towards gender-focused projects, while Dr Tsao reinforced the idea that philanthropy is not solely about financial contributions; it is also about taking action, fostering awareness and advocating for change. Both speakers highlighted the importance of partnerships, mentorship and collective action—and in particular not being afraid to grow your network and ask for help—in driving systemic change.
Beyond the panel
Naina Subberwal Batra raised a toast to “uncommon women”
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Following the panel, guests continued the conversation over dinner, exchanging discourse on the challenges they face and the gender-specific issues that stand out in their areas of influence, and, most importantly, how to drive action to resolve such issues.
The evening concluded with closing remarks from Duffell, who echoed Dr Tsao’s assertion that everyone is a philanthropist, before Batra raised a toast to all the women in the room—the “uncommon women”, with a glass of Queen of Blue tea, which is made from the finest rare tea leaves and served exclusively on Japan Airlines.
This collaboration between AVPN and Front & Female, which follows a similar event that took place in the Philippines in early February, not only celebrated women’s leadership in philanthropy but also reinforced the urgent need for collective action. By convening thought leaders and changemakers, the event served as a catalyst for meaningful discussions and concrete steps towards a more equitable and inclusive future.
Credits
Photography: Adrian Lee
