Every year on March 8, International Women's Day commemorates global women's rights, the need for equal rights and gender equality, and stands against discrimination against women. #BreakTheBias is this year's motto and is intended to call for breaking stereotypes and stereotypical gender roles. After all, women around the world are still disadvantaged in many areas because of their gender. Especially in education, the world of work and politics, it is obvious that there is still a long journey ahead before we achieve an inclusive community.
"WE MAY LIVE IN AN INFORMED SOCIETY, BUT GENDER PAY-GAPS, THE IMBALANCE OF WOMEN AND MEN IN TOP POSITIONS, OUTDATED STEREOTYPES AND STRUCTURAL SEXISM ARE STILL AN EVERYDAY OCCURRENCE IN MANY PLACES. THEY PAINFULLY ILLUSTRATE THE TRAPS ON OUR PATH TO EQUAL OPPORTUNITY. THIS IS WHERE COMPANIES SHOULD SET AN EXAMPLE BY EDUCATING AND ENCOURAGING EMPLOYEES AND SETTING A GOOD EXAMPLE - FOR EXAMPLE, 80 PERCENT OF MANAGEMENT POSITIONS AT EDELMAN GERMANY ARE HELD BY WOMEN."
STEFANIE ZEIDLER, HEAD OF LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT
To highlight gender stereotypes, educate and protect against (sometimes unconscious) prejudice and discrimination, but also to promote equality in the workplace, we offer our employees various preventive services and initiatives:
- In 2011, we internally established the Global Women Executive Network (GWEN) with the goal of achieving gender parity in leadership positions. Today, GWEN stands for Global Women Equality Network and is dedicated to creating a work environment where women of all backgrounds and levels have equal career opportunities. Every two years, a global salary analysis is conducted in collaboration with an external data analysis company to ensure equal pay for equal work for all. There is also a written commitment to equal distribution of management positions between men and women.
- Various mandatory trainings provide our employees with the knowledge and tools to create an inclusive work environment and culture in their daily lives. Globally, the training portfolio is being expanded and new trainings on impartiality and inclusive leadership are being added.
- We partner with Germany's largest professional mentoring program for women, "MentorMe", which promotes professional learning and growth opportunities through networking, professional development opportunities, and one-on-one mentoring. Here, Edelman sponsors three young women from different ethnic backgrounds each year and covers the cost of a one-year membership to MentorMe. Each woman is strategically matched with mentors from top German companies and has access to a wealth of activities and training.
"THE YOUNG GENERATION OF WOMEN SHOULD SEE THAT WE ARE ACTIVE IN THE PROCESS OF ORGANIZING ALL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM. IT IS A PERSONAL MATTER OF CONCERN TO ME TO MAKE THIS CLEAR IN OUR COMPANY AND WITH OUR PARTNERS. GENDER SHOULD NOT BE A CRITERIA.”
BÄRBEL HESTERT-VECOLI, MANAGING DIRECTOR CORPORATE REPUTATION