Equality & Inclusion: More critical for Business & Society than ever

Last year was a tricky one. It was marked by crisis and uncertainty; it saw heightened inequalities and tensions affecting minorities disproportionately. I feel it is important that we step up in raising the awareness about Equality & Inclusion again. I do believe that companies can make a difference through establishing equal opportunities, no matter who you are and what you want to be. 

Last year a lot of landmark events that usually help creating awareness for this important matter did not happen, and that is understandable - yet concerning. I was therefore happy to see that thanks to many allies inside and outside of the company virtual events like #CantCancelPride became such a big movement!

Now, as the pandemic is – hopefully – fading soon, it is even more important that we continue to be loud and outspoken in our support as a company for E&I. This week, P&G celebrated LGBTQ+ E/I Inclusion with Europe’s first GABLE conference with around 1000 participants. We are very proud to have such a strong and active GABLE network in all EU/UK countries.

Standing up for E&I is not only simply the right thing to do. It is also the right thing for our business.

P&G, in Europe and anywhere else, is committed to serving consumers better than anyone else. This means all consumers, no matter where you come from, who you are, what your orientation or gender identity is. Understanding, including, serving and portraying the diversity of our consumers is fundamental to the success of P&G.

This year, we will work even harder to reflect the diversity of the consumers we serve and make tangible impact – for our employees, with our brands, through our partners and in our communities. We will continue to build our culture - a culture, where inclusion is understood to enable equal opportunities, access, and growth for all people.

E&I – growing significance for business success

We embrace E&I in how we do business: in our product development, in our talent recruitment, and in our external representation. Here is what we plan ahead: First, we are strategically evolving how we lead E&I, how we are raising the bar to drive meaningful impact. Second, we are expanding the breadth and depth of our focus areas across the 30 European countries: Gender, LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities and Ethnicities. Third, we aspire to gain many more allies for LGBTQ+ across all sites, locations and countries.

Brand communication has a role to play

When it comes to our brands, we want to do more on fighting bias via our advertising. We have made good progress, but we can do more. Our advertising should portray and represent ALL our consumers, not just some. And this will NOT just remain a slogan. We have established an Equality & Inclusion board for P&G Europe, which I chair, and we will measure our progress transparently, every year. This means that we will set tangible & measurable goals such as:

1.     100% Fair, positive & accurate portrayal of all consumers in our communication

2.     Representation of all consumers in front and behind camera

3.     Our leading brands to take a stand on E&I and make it part of their brand strategy

Measuring actions

I do believe in measurable success. And it is important that we also clearly & transparently measure what we do to drive equal opportunities and equal representation. Because, as always in life, actions speak louder than words. I do believe that we can serve our consumers better if we create a more equal world – and that is exactly what we will continue to do in 21-22.