International Women’s Day – How can companies support women in exploiting their potential?

By: Trademagazin Date: 2024. 03. 06. 12:18

International Women’s Day is an excellent opportunity to look at how companies can support women to reach their full potential and create equal opportunities for everyone in the workplace. As with everything, it is worth starting with the basics, that is, with the inclusive selection process, for which “blind recruitment” can be a solution. In the future, initiatives such as mentorship programs, flexible work schedules, and men acting as allies can result in equal representation of the sexes in business management teams. Here are some practical tips inspired by real-life practices on Mars.

There are still many things that prevent women from reaching their full potential. According to the World Economic Forum, it would currently take 132 years to close the gender equality gap, compared to the 100-year forecast before the epidemic.

Numerous studies prove that enabling the involvement of women to a greater extent in companies, communities and economies can bring measurable benefits not only for the business, but also for the entire economy and society. In the workplace, teams with equal representation of women and men can outperform male-dominated teams in terms of sales and profits, and make better business decisions.

Mars, one of the world’s leading confectionery, chocolate, food and pet food manufacturers, considers it its mission to create gender equality in 100 percent of its management teams with its inclusive processes, programs and initiatives, and encourages other companies to do the same. The company believes that supporting women so that they can exploit their potential not only has a positive effect on their own lives and those around them, but also greatly contributes to the growth and success of companies – this is also highlighted by the company’s Full Potential program. That’s why Mars has corporate policies and practices that improve representation while ensuring employees are paid fairly.

Currently, 43 percent of Mars managers globally are women. The proportion of women in senior management positions in the Central European region is already more than 45 percent.