Yet, Unilever Vietnam has shattered this barrier, thanks to the pioneering leadership of Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Van, the first female Head of Country at Unilever Vietnam.

A culture of diversity and equality at Unilever Vietnam

Unilever Vietnam stands out as a champion of a diverse and inclusive workplace. The company has successfully achieved gender balance in managerial and directorial roles, with women representing 52.96% of management and supervisory positions.

Remarkably, the percentage of women in director-level roles within Customer Development surged from 28.5% in 2020 to 45% in 2023. Similarly, the proportion of female factory managers in the Supply Chain doubled from 25% in 2020 to 50% in 2023.

These figures underscore Unilever Vietnam's commitment to nurturing a culture of diversity, equality, and inclusion. The company offers a variety of development and training opportunities through initiatives like the Unilever Future Leaders Program (UFLP), which provides internships, skill-building, and growth opportunities to promising students. The Unilever Women's Network further supports women in their professional development, leadership skill acquisition, and networking.

Beyond these programs, Unilever Vietnam has rolled out new policies to enhance benefits and ensure equal rights, particularly focusing on female leaders in middle and senior management, especially within traditional departments.

To address specific challenges, the company launched the "Unmute" internal communication program, encouraging employees, particularly women, to voice their concerns and seek support.

Under the visionary leadership of Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Van, Unilever Vietnam's first female General Manager, the company has fostered a vibrant culture of diversity and equality for the past seven years. Her leadership has been recognized with the prestigious BritCharm DEI award for outstanding business leaders. Additionally, Unilever Vietnam's efforts to empower women have earned it three consecutive UN Women's WEPs Awards, highlighting the company's exceptional implementation of women's empowerment principles. Unilever Vietnam is also featured in Bloomberg's 2023 Gender-Equality Index, solidifying its reputation as a leader in gender equality.

Extending impact beyond corporate walls

Unilever Vietnam's commitment to diversity and equality extends beyond its corporate boundaries into communities. Empowering women is a core objective of Unilever's Sustainable Development Plan, leading to significant results.

Since 2011, Unilever Vietnam has invested in the Microfinance Loan Program managed by the Vietnam Women's Union. This initiative has empowered over 46,000 households across nine provinces, disbursing VND32 billion (approximately US$13.9 million) in loans to enhance economic opportunities and improve access to clean water and sanitation.

In 2020, Unilever Vietnam, in collaboration with its Sunlight brand and the Vietnam Women's Union, launched the "Women Do Business" program. This initiative aims to empower women to start their own businesses confidently, achieve financial independence, and secure sustainable livelihoods. Over the past three years, the program has trained over 100,000 women across 41 provinces, funded hundreds of promising projects, and inspired 30 million women nationwide.

Unilever Vietnam's commitment to empowering women also focuses on inspiring and nurturing the next generation of female leaders. Recognizing the importance of building self-confidence and self-worth in young girls, Unilever has implemented educational initiatives, including the Dove Self-Esteem project. In collaboration with the Vietnam Institute of Educational Sciences, this program has reached 10,000 high school students across the country in the past four months, encouraging young girls to embrace their bodies and celebrate their unique qualities.

Unilever Vietnam remains steadfast in its mission to empower women, aiming to reach one million Vietnamese women by 2025. This ambitious initiative reflects the company's deep belief that every woman has the right to pursue her dreams, contribute to society, and lead a fulfilling life. Unilever Vietnam is dedicated to standing with Vietnamese women as they strive to achieve these aspirations.

PV