The first name that comes to your mind when you hear the words FMCG is Unilever Pakistan. That statement itself is enough to gauge the popularity and trust the company enjoys in the country. Today, every household in the nation uses Unilever Pakistan’s products and swears by them no matter what, making it one of the most reputable brands of Pakistan.
The manufacturing giant has always been several steps ahead in the field of innovation and technology in an attempt to deliver best quality products for its customers. But that’s not the only arena where Unilever shines. The company is also miles ahead when it comes to organizational practices such as an agile workplace environment, their equity, diversity, as well as their inclusion policies. The company is a torch bearer in the corporate world when it comes to women empowerment. They make it a point to support, promote, and facilitate women. This includes their female workforce and the countless women of the country through their various campaigns and programs over the years. All of that has helped the company set new benchmarks for its competitors and otherwise.
The Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry – the OICCI Women Empowerment Awards took place recently. At the ceremony, Unilever Pakistan was awarded the top honor “OICCI Women Empowerment Award 2021”. The organization was lauded and awarded for its relentless efforts to promote inclusion, diversity, and equity. The award also shows how Unilever is one of the few organizations that leaves no stone unturned when it comes to gender inclusion. The honor is a major milestone in highlighting the topic of diversity and empowering women of our society.
Unilever is an organization that is aware of how there aren’t enough opportunities for women which is why they actively advocate for women representation. The company is on the road to going further than ever to eradicate barriers and create opportunities of growth and progress in our workplaces, our operations, and above all else, our society. They sincerely believe that will have a significant impact on the world, apart from being beneficial for their business. This award is a form of encouragement for the company to keep moving forward in that direction.
Unilever values its female employees and always encourages them for their work. Women are seated at important positions in the company and are active in all departments. They are aware of the challenges women face when they come to work so they have facilities such as Day Care Centers for female employees who have to bring their kids to work. The company also offers them maternity leaves and medical insurance among other benefits. That’s not all. Unilever Pakistan also has a Career By Choice program that encourages women to return to the workplace after they have taken a sabbatical from work.
The Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) members consist of leading 200 foreign investors. The committee lays emphasis on the rising importance of women and how their involvement is crucial in order to create an enabling environment. It is the truth that having women at the forefront is necessary to expedite the economic growth of the country, according to Mr. Ghias Khan, President of OICCI. He wholeheartedly commended the efforts of foreign investors at the OICCI Women Empowerment Awards 2021 that were held earlier last week.
OICCI has kick-started various studies. The committee has been holding an annual survey among its members by recognizing those who have played a vital part in focusing on women empowerment. A policy paper from OICCI titled “Increasing Women’s Inclusion in the Pakistan Economy” was presented to the Ministry of Human Rights last year.
“OICCI had initiated the OICCI Women Empowerment initiative in 2017 and has been regularly raising voice for women empowerment among its membership”, Khan further added.
“The purpose of the awards is to bring women to the center stage in business and operations and highlight the sensibility and acumen women bring to the table. Women are also business runners and executives who deserve a chair on the high table and it is high time the world, corporate and otherwise, make space for them.”
