Unilever makes efforts to unlock opportunities for women

Women’s rights is among top 10 global consumer trends in 2023. According to the 2022 Lifestyles Survey, 52% of women wanted products and services that are tailored to them.

The survey “Voice of the Consumer: Beauty and Personal Care Survey, 2021” from Euromonitor International shows that looking healthy, hygiene, cleanliness, inner confidence, good oral health, care, etc. are among top female perception of beauty globally.

Facilitating women to thrive has thus become both a responsibility and an opportunity for businesses.

The World Economic Forum estimates that empowering women to participate equally in the global economy could add $28 trillion in Global Domestic Product (GDP) growth by 2025.

In Vietnam, Unilever has strived to promote the diversity, equity and inclusiveness culture through opportunities of learning, working and promotion with the gender balance at management levels. The business also ensures an equal and future-fit workplace through new policies on welfare and equality.

A working corner at Unilever Vietnam. Photo by Unilever Vietnam

The program “My hair, my say” by Dove aims to erase beauty stereotypes and foster confidence with the representation of diverse hair choices, breaking down hair color stereotypes.

The program “Dreams too good to hold back” from Sunsilk inspires women to live to the fullest with passion and enthusiasm, motivating and supporting them to determine and pursue their dreams.

Recently, Sunsilk has also cooperated with Song An Career to organize an online event “Reaching career dreams” to guide young girls to find out their real interests and abilities, the necessary conditions for success, and provide them with useful knowledge to become more confident.

The program “Women do business” from Sunlight aims to accompany Vietnamese women to pursue their dream of business start-up through providing online and onsite courses to equip them with business knowledge and initial capital support to start their business.

Sunlight to support women to do business for financial autonomy. Photo by Unilever Vietnam

Partnership to thrive stronger

Unilever Vietnam has closely partnered with the Vietnam Women’s Union for the past 17 years.

This partnership will continue to make efforts on and commit to facilitating one million Vietnamese women to develop and improve their quality through education and training in health, hygiene, nutrition, livelihood development, and access to business capital over the period from 2022-2027.

A 5-year action plan has also been established and implemented, including communication and education to raise women’s awareness about health care and environmental protection, supporting women to businesses with access to microfinance loans, and eliminating social prejudices in the community and families for the comprehensive development of women.

Recently, Unilever Vietnam, Sunlight, and the Women’s Unions have completed a direct training program for more than 2,000 women in 10 provinces Bac Lieu, Ninh Thuan, Lang Son, Kon Tum, Tay Ninh, Nam Dinh, Ca Mau, Quang Binh, Bac Kan, and Phu Yen.

Women participating in the program can propose business ideas directly to the organizers and have the opportunity to receive prizes and initial financial support to confidently start a business at the Wrap-up and awarding ceremony of “Women do business” program, which is going to take place this June.

The training of “Women do business” program to 2,000 women nationwide. Photo by Unilever Vietnam

On March 30, to celebrate International Women’s month, Unilever Vietnam will coordinate with the Management and Sustainable Development Institute (MSD Vietnam) to organize a campaign and seminar bearing the theme “Positive beauty, positive you” with the participation of social organizations, experts and activists.

The program aims to contribute to removing gender prejudice, building women’s capacity, helping them confidently unlock their full potential, pursue good values and make positive contributions to the society.

Unilever Vietnam has been honored at the prestigious UN Women’s WEPs Awards for three consecutive years. In 2022, the business won the category “Community engagement and partnership” in Vietnam and the Asia Pacific region.

The enterprise also won in the “Gender-inclusive marketplace” category in 2021; and two categories “Leadership commitment” and “Gender-inclusive workplace” in 2020.