Organizations forging gender equality
Gender equality in the workplace fosters diverse perspectives, enhances innovation, and ensures fair opportunities for everyone to thrive.
International Women's Day (IWD) provides an important opportunity to shine a light on organizations that champion gender equality.
When women's contributions and participation are valued, communities are strengthened, and greater progress and opportunities prevail.
Worldwide, there are many organizations effective in forging women's advancement - inside the workplace and well beyond - due to impactful policies, processes, campaigns, initiatives,
and activities.
How does your organization support gender equality?
Submit an IWD Statement explaining how your organization actively supports gender equality.
Progressive organizations advancing gender equality
These examples reinforce that when organizations prioritize women’s empowerment and equity in the workplace and beyond, they help create lasting, positive change in society.
How does your organization champion gender equality?
Examples of gender equality initiatives over the years
While many organizations are committed to gender equality, below are some public examples of organizations making a positive difference through their initiatives.
- Nike’s commitment to women athletes has seen the company increase sponsorships and media visibility for women athletes, promoting gender equity in sports.
- Goldman Sachs, through its "10,000 Women" initiative, provides women entrepreneurs with access to business education, capital, and mentorship to grow their businesses.
- Netflix has invested heavily in women-led content and ensures representation in leadership roles. It promotes gender equity in casting and crew hiring for its productions.
- Unilever achieved gender balance across its management roles globally, reaching 50% women at management level globally in 2020 through robust recruitment, mentorship, and leadership programs.
- Microsoft supports women in STEM through initiatives like "DigiGirlz" which provides workshops, mentorship, and resources to inspire young women to pursue careers in technology.
- Google offers programs like "Women Techmakers" providing visibility, resources, and community for women in tech. The company also conducts annual pay equity audits to close the gender wage gap.
- Procter & Gamble (P&G) runs campaigns such as #WeSeeEqual, promoting gender equality through its brands, workplace initiatives, partners and communities.
- Salesforce conducted an internal pay audit to identify and close the gender pay gap, committing millions of dollars to ensure pay equity for its employees.
- The Johnson & Johnson (J&J) "WiSTEM2D" initiative (Women in STEM, Manufacturing & Design) supports women in these fields through partnerships, scholarships, and mentoring.
- Deloitte runs the "Women@Deloitte" program, focusing on mentorship, leadership development, and advancing women to senior roles within the company.
- PepsiCo supports women through the "Million Women Mentors" initiative that leverages mentorship between STEM career professionals and women who aspire to STEM careers.
- Mastercard launched "Girls4Tech" which is a program, aimed at inspiring girls to pursue STEM careers, and developed financial tools to empower women entrepreneurs globally.
- Lean In encourages women to achieve their career goals through mentorship, leadership circles, and resources to address workplace bias.
- Women’s Sports Foundation, founded by Billie Jean King, advocates for gender equity in sports and provides funding and support for girls and women athletes.
- Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine media company produces content that highlights female voices and stories, creating opportunities for women in the entertainment industry.
- The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media works to increase the representation of women and reduce gender bias in media and entertainment.
These examples reinforce that when organizations prioritize women’s empowerment and equity in the workplace and beyond, they help create lasting, positive change in society.
How does your organization help accelerate action for gender equality?
Revisit IWD 2024 Statements here.