Frederique Constant partnered with leading entertainment journal Variety and UN Women’s HeForShe campaign to host a landmark event on the subject of gender equality within the film industry. Taking place on Saturday 16 May, speakers include Academy Award®-nominated actress and producer Salma Hayek (FRIDA), Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (BRIDE & PREJUDICE), and actress Parker Posey (IRRATIONAL MAN).

The actresses were joined by award-winning filmmakers Christine Vachon and Elizabeth Karlsen, producers of the much-anticipated film CAROL, which made its world premiere at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. The discussion was moderated by Variety’s Co-Editor-In-Chief, Claudia Eller and UN Women’s Elizabeth Nyamayaro.

Variety Publisher, Michelle Sobrino commented: “The issue of gender equality within our industry has rarely been in greater need of frank and open discussion. We’re proud to partner with UN Women and to welcome some of the industry’s leading creative voices to impart their experiences and insights on this imperative issue.”

“Following the launch of last year’s Emma Watson-fronted HeForShe campaign, the empowerment of women within the film space has been under a greater spotlight than ever before,” emphasized Ms. Nyamayaro, Senior Advisor to UN Women’s Executive Director. “Our partnership with Variety in this initiative keeps the momentum rolling, and offers a platform for some of cinema’s leading female film-makers and performers to have their say at the industry’s most prestigious festival.”

Salma Hayek Pinault

The charity sponsor is Frédérique Constant, a Swiss watch Manufacturer from Geneva, Switzerland. As a brand, Frédérique Constant has already created a legacy for supporting charities, and looks forward to gifting a beautiful lady timepiece, which will be auctioned after the event for the benefit of UN Women.

“Frederique Constant was founded by Aletta and myself, we have always managed the company together. We have always hired the best candidate, independent of gender. We have many female and male employees, both in a 50/50 split, both gender paid equally.”, said Peter Stas, CEO Frederique Constant.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

“For us, this is all natural. We see the advantages of gender equality. We see that both genders bring diverse insights. Without getting to stereotypes, I will give you how we work at Frederique Constant. I look at what Aletta and myself bring to management, I can take too much risk. Aletta brings balance, she has a more risk adverse nature. Aletta designs ladies watches ‘designed by women for women’, I concentrate on gents collections.”

“It is the strength of two genders that create more than it sum. We truly believe that two genders are required diversity and build 1+1=3 for our company.”

About UN Women

UN Women is the UN organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. A global champion for women and girls, UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide. UN Women supports UN Member States as they set global standards for achieving gender equality, and works with governments and civil society to design laws, policies, programmes and services needed to implement these standards. It stands behind women’s equal participation in all aspects of life, focusing on five priority areas: increasing women’s leadership and participation; ending violence against women; engaging women in all aspects of peace and security processes; enhancing women’s economic empowerment; and making gender equality central to national development planning and budgeting. UN Women also coordinates and promotes the UN system’s work in advancing gender equality.