Unilever achieves gender equality in management ranks globally

Unilever has announced that it has achieved gender equality across its management ranks globally, a year ahead of its set target. With a higher representation of female managers than ever before, Unilever now has 50% women in management levels globally, up from 38% in 2010. Its non-executive Board now also comprises 45% women.

The global giant says it has particularly made progress in departments where women have historically been under-represented. Finance has achieved 50% women at management level globally, with 47% in UniOps, Unilever’s operations and technology engine. The biggest step change, however, is in its supply chain, which has achieved 40% female representation in management.

LONGSTANDING EQUALITY COMMITMENT

Unilever’s gender balance milestone follows a longstanding commitment to drive gender equality in the workplace. A dedicated diversity and inclusion (D&I) team has implemented several initiatives, including a Global Diversity Board and a network of nearly 100 D&I ‘champions’, who have set the benchmark for how a community can power an inclusive culture across markets. Tools are also being used to drive gender equity in recruitment, including gender-balanced interview slate requirements, robust D&I goals, and the ‘gender appointment ratio’ – a measurement which tracks senior leaders’ records in appointing women. Unilever is also driving the Unstereotype Alliance convened by UN Women, which aims to eliminate harmful stereotypes in the workplace and across the advertising industry.

Commenting on the achievement, Alan Jope, Unilever’s Chief Executive Officer stated: “Women’s equality is the single greatest unlock for social and economic development globally, and having a gender-balanced workforce should be a given, not something that we aspire to. We’re very proud to have reached our goal of equal representation of women and men among our 14,000 managers, but our work doesn’t stop here. We will continue to work towards equal opportunities for women and other under-represented groups both within our business, and beyond.”

UNLEASHING POTENTIAL

Adding to his comments, Leena Nair, Unilever’s Chief HR Officer, said: “If half the population are being held back, how are we all going to move forward? A thriving society is one where women have equal access to rights, skills and opportunities. Women constitute the majority of our consumers and we owe a lot of our success to them. What we’ve achieved is testament to the work of thousands of people across our business who are able to fully unleash their potential because they feel valued and included.”

According to Unilever its initiative, ‘Changing the game. Unlocking the future’, aims to deliver a gender-balanced workforce and an inclusive culture that breaks down stereotypes. The global organisation is also a winner of the prestigious 2020 Catalyst Award for initiatives that have accelerated progress for women in the workplace.