KARACHI, March 04, 2021: Nestlé Pakistan was recognized as a diversity and inclusion (D&I) champion at the Global Diversity and Inclusion Benchmarks (GDIB) Awards 2021.
Nestlé Pakistan won a total of six awards in categories of D&I leadership, structure, recruitment, benefits, vision and social responsibility at the annual diversity and inclusion conference held in Karachi.
The acknowledgement reaffirms Nestlé Pakistan’s constant commitment towards promoting diversity for creating an inclusive culture, in a country where gender gap is staggering and female representation in workforce is low.
Talking about the achievement, Akmal Saeed, Head of Human Resources at Nestlé Pakistan said, “Diversity & Inclusion are deeply rooted in our core values and we have been working very hard to implement these principles within our organization as well as outside.”
Highlighting some of Nestlé’s initiatives, he said, “Our programs ‘Hai Tum Pe Yaqeen’ is an initiative for differently-abled while ‘Phir Se Ker Dikhao’ provides the right coaching and experiential learning for women to connect back with their work life.
Meanwhile, in the ‘KeroAitmaad’ program, we try to break stereotypes and encourage young female university students by sharing stories of those that joined the workforce, instilling hope, ambition and self-confidence,” he added.
In light of receiving the award, Abdullah Jawaid, the diversity champion at Nestlé Pakistan said, “Leaders at all levels within the company lead the D&I goals which form an integral part of each functions’ detailed business plan.
This not only shows Nestlé Pakistan’s commitment and dedication to diversity and inclusion, in line with UN SDGs 5 Gender Equality, 8 Decent Work & Economic Growth and 10 Reduced Inequalities, but also motivates us to continue our mission further.”
Externally, Nestlé Pakistan has been playing its role in community engagement and enhancement through various programs such as the Nestlé BISP Rural Women Sales Program, in partnership with the EhsaasKifalat Program, is providing livelihood opportunities to beneficiaries of the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP). To date, more than 1,500 BISP beneficiaries have graduated out of poverty by becoming rural sales agents.
Congratulating Nestlé Pakistan on winning the award, Zahid Mubarik, CEO HR Metrics and member BoD, Centre for Global Inclusion USA, said, “COVID-19 has posed a challenge of sustainability to organisations around the world. Organisations which are diverse in terms of their thought process, customer base and supply chain are more capable to withstand the effects of COVID-19.
Nestlé Pakistan has a track record of managing diversity and inclusion for social and financial performance. Winning of GDIB Awards consistently is an evidence to this effect.”
The GDIB standards, developed by 95 expert panelists from around the world, support organizations globally in the development and implementation of Diversity and Inclusion best practices. Diversity Hub-HR Metrics organizes GDIB Awards by engaging reputable organizations from all over Pakistan.
