A Powerful Instrument for Change
10,319 women from 88 countries issued a call for systemic change. We’re listening.
In the world we want tomorrow, society is inclusive, and women have the opportunity to reach their full potential. That’s why we launched our #HereToBeHeard global listening study to amplify the voices of women across various intersections—including race, age, sexuality, religion, disability and more—in a meaningful dialogue on how to shape a more inclusive world.
Women shared their deeply personal stories, calling for systemic change they want to see from their employers, governments, communities, and men to break down the barriers they face.
In partnership with BSR(Opens a new window), University of Oxford Saïd Business School’s Future of Marketing Initiative(Opens a new window), and in collaboration from the Unstereotype Alliance(Opens a new window) convened by UN Women, the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in the Media(Opens a new window), and CARE(Opens a new window), we analyzed the women’s voices and the key themes that surfaced.
The result is a timely report that challenges society at large to listen, learn and do more to help deliver gender equality.
Hear what women had to say
Click on one of the buttons below to hear directly from some of the women who took part in this study. You’ll hear what they think needs to change so women can reach their full potential.
What needs to change for women to reach their full potential?
Eight key themes emerged from our study, which have informed actions that we, as businesses, can take to help break down the barriers women face to unlock their full potential.
An End to Discrimination and Harmful Gender Stereotypes
80% of women demanded an end to discrimination and harmful gender stereotyping.
ACT NOW
As advertisers, we have an opportunity to help create a more equal world. One way to do that is by producing “unstereotyped” marketing content that portrays all individuals as authentic, multidimensional, and empowered.
Equal Career Opportunities
79% of women spoke passionately about the need for equal career opportunities.
ACT NOW
We need to remove gender bias and discrimination in recruitment, performance review, and promotion processes.
More Women in Power
65% of women insisted on more women in power, making decisions.
ACT NOW
Research shows companies with more women board members, more women in senior leadership roles and gender-balanced teams perform better. We should work toward gender-balanced leadership teams by setting time-bound measurable goals to increase/advance the representation of women at all levels of leadership, and establish sponsorship and training programs for women from diverse backgrounds.
Support as Parents
30% of women asked for support as parents—affordable childcare, more parental leave, and reversing the stay-at-home stereotype.
ACT NOW
For true equality, parents need support. We should encourage businesses to support all new parents with parental leave policies and to equip managers with training and resources to empower employees to use their parental leave. We also need to establish adequate off-/on-boarding plans for parents and allow flexibility for parents when they return from leave.
Greater Work/Life Balance
25% of women shared a need for greater work/life balance.
ACT NOW
We can help create change by offering flexible work, embracing more diverse working styles, and ensuring performance reviews are tailored to recognize and advance workers who take advantage of flexible work options.
Gender-Equal Learning
24% of women called for gender-equal learning and emphasized the importance of education free from stereotypes.
ACT NOW
Invest in strategic philanthropy in STEM and other historically male-dominated fields to increase engagement of young girls and youth within these fields. Additionally, brands should consider how stereotypes are present in marketing, and advertising should work to tackle harmful gender stereotypes about the role of women in society.
Mental and Physical Wellbeing
19% called for better access to healthcare services for both mental and physical wellbeing.
ACT NOW
We need to provide equitable benefits packages to support women’s physical and mental health needs, and recognize that women may need targeted support at different life stages.
An End to Gender-Based Harassment and Violence
15% of women called for an end to gender-based harassment and violence.
ACT NOW
Businesses should adopt a higher standard of prevention, protection and redress through policies that keep employees safe from harassment and violence, including gender-based violence.
At Mars, we’re listening and acting
At Mars, we’re listening and acting
The actions we take today can build a better tomorrow. With our continued learning, including what we heard from women in the #HereToBeHeard study, we’re committed to creating enduring positive change for women in our workplaces, sourcing communities and the marketplace. Here are just a few of the actions we’re taking toward a more gender-inclusive society. Learn more about our platform to advance gender equality.
In all aspects of our business
We’re taking action to address the barriers women face—because gender equality fuels our ability to grow and thrive as a business and enables women across our value chain to reach their full potential. This work demonstrates our Purpose, reinforces The Five Principles, delivers on our Inclusion & Diversity goals, and drives us toward our Sustainable in a Generation Plan ambitions.
In our workplaces
We are taking action with policies and practices to improve representation and Associate benefits. We aspire to reach 100% gender-balanced business leadership teams across our global business. We remain committed to equal pay, are improving family support benefits, and through our Banfield’s Better Together Fund we’re supporting Associates affected by domestic violence.
In communities
Women comprise nearly half of the global agricultural labor force, while also providing unpaid work caring for their families. The World Bank cites that when women earn an income, they typically reinvest up to 90 percent back into their families and communities. Across our priority raw materials, we’re investing, we’re investing with a range of partners in long-term approaches to bolster women’s economic empowerment and access to opportunity.
In the marketplace
Where our goods and services are advertised and sold, we’re also working to remove gender bias and negative stereotypes in our advertising; reviewing our advertising annually to identify and reduce gender bias; and taking action with our brands to bring attention to topics such as motherhood, gender equity, and intersectional representation.
