The theme for International Women’s Day 2021 is #ChooseToChallenge. We can choose to challenge and call out gender stereotypes and bias, and to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements. Collectively, we can create an inclusive world. From challenge comes change.

We sat down with Gade Passaran, who after five years in Ford HR, now works in Brand and Marketing Communications for Asia Pacific Direct Markets, to figure out how she has managed to adapt to new ways of working; and what does International Women’s Day mean to her?

“Working during a pandemic isn’t exactly easy, and challenges continually present themselves. For me though, communication is key to success, and I personally believe that face-to-face meetings, where possible, are generally the most effective approach. Having said that, I do tend to reach out to my team more during working-from-home in a slightly safer manner, via WebEx meeting or a quick call, to ensure that we’re on the same page in getting through this unusual time productively.”

Who’s the most inspiring woman you know?
“My biggest inspiration? My mom! She is the most beautiful, kind-hearted, caring, and compassionate woman in my life. Her happiness and infectious smile can arise from the simplest of little things that she enjoys doing for herself, and those around her. Like cooking a delicious meal for our family, for instance. She loves to cook; even more so when we clearly enjoy her creations – that generates a smile from ear to ear. And more often than not, she tends to outdo herself. It’s something that I’ve learned from her; to find happiness in everything that I do, regardless of it being big or small, and always strive for improvement.”

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
“On behalf of women, I am so grateful that we have this special occasion to celebrate our many achievements. I would love to extend this celebration to everyone around us – regardless of their gender – those who play a large part in our success. I believe that society will be much more dynamic if we are inclusive and respect everyone equally.”

How do you #ChooseToChallenge?
“In my work life, I always find a way to challenge myself to do something new and to challenge my own limitations. Having begun my career at Ford as a Graduate Trainee in the HR department, I advanced my standing to HR Business Advisor for three years. In that role, I frequently spent time with my ‘customers’ (people leaders and employees alike) to understand their journey and the business challenges they faced. It also allowed me to learn about the company’s business through their lens, which inspired me to change my career path. It helped me believe that we can do, and we can be, anything if we keep working on it.”
 
How Does Ford support women who #ChooseToChallenge?
“Ford does a fantastic job in supporting its people and their growth. Wearing my old HR hat, I had front-row seats to watch many employees successfully change the path of their Ford career with the support from supervisors and colleagues. In addition, Ford creates a safe environment for us to express our voices and opinion equally, in every forum, confirming a deep level of respect is shared.”

What inspires you?
“Above all else, joy inspires me most. Life challenges, be they in work or my personal life, can sometimes lend a feeling of frustration. But I’ve learned that to overcome these challenges, I need to find the joy in them. If I enjoy doing it, I will try to find ways to at least exceed my expectations, just like my mom. For young girls wanting to find joy in their against-all-odds dreams, the best advice I could give is ‘you need to keep working on what you want’. Share your hopes and dreams with family and friends, or those who can guide and assist to accomplish your goals. A little progress each day can make a huge difference. Believe in yourself and don’t hesitate in asking for help.”

To download the Word document of this press release in English, click here