Dr. Oetker Stories
We inspire inclusion on International Women’s Day 2024!
On International Women’s Day, we celebrate women’s incredible achievements and raise awareness. Find out more about this special day and how our colleagues at Dr. Oetker took part.
8.3.2024 • Company and Culture
International Women's Day takes place every year on March 8. Historically, the day is based on the idea of equal rights, the right to vote for women and the emancipation of female workers. In 1975, the United Nations proclaimed it the United Nations Day for Women's Rights and World Peace and the first UN World Conference on Women was also held.
Companies and institutions around the world are now committed to the idea of recognizing, promoting and sustainably strengthening gender equality. Every year, International Women's Day expresses this in a variety of ways, whether on social networks, corporate websites, or special activities. Clear International Women's Day messages are shared to create a strong network and sense of togetherness to empower women worldwide. This year's theme is "Inspire Inclusion".
At Dr. Oetker, we strive to strengthen diversity and inclusion as part of our internationally anchored sustainability goals. We actively foster a culture of inclusion, where everyone feels welcome and accepted for who they are. For us, a diverse and inclusive corporate culture is a key driver for better decisions, greater innovation and a more sustainable business.
With various activities and offers in which our colleagues worldwide can participate and get involved, we come closer to these goals and fill them with life. These include formats such as Female Leader's Talks, Employee Resource Groups and Communities etc. All these activities are organized by the company’s People and Culture International department and the International Diversity & Inclusion Team in cooperation with the colleagues in the countries.
This year the company has initiated a special Female Leader’s Talk, an internal event where all interested colleagues could participate. Guest speaker Bernadette Thompson OBE urged us to ignite a movement that not only inspires others to understand and value women's inclusion but also encourages women to embrace a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment. Currently, Bernadette Thompson OBE is Director of EDI at Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Women make up half of our passionate, nearly 17,000-strong workforce, contributing their expertise, skills, diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas. We believe that diversity and inclusion can bring out the best in all of us. International Women's Day is one important event on the calendar. However, diversity and inclusion, is an ongoing process, one we can all contribute to.
"I truly believe that we (women) should be the change we want to see in the world. Just be brave." Sanja Keranovic, Head of Finance, Controlling & IT, Dr. Oetker Serbia
"As a manager, as a woman and as a mother, I am lucky enough to be able to tell a success story that I would like to be an example of resilience and the possibility of achieving their own personal and professional goals.” Monica Chiari, Executive Manager People & Culture, cameo
Interesting facts:
Did you know…?
- …according to the UN WOMEN Gender Snapshot 2023 not a single country in the world has achieved gender equality or that at the current rate of progress, according to UN Women, it could take close to 300 years to achieve full gender equality.
- Globally, women hold just 28.2 % of management positions in the workplace.
- The next generation of women will still spend, on average, 2.3 more hours per day on unpaid care and domestic work than men.
- The day is now a public holiday in Berlin.
If you want to support the International Women’s Day, use the following hashtags on social media: #InspireInclusion #IWD2024, #ChooseToChallenge, #InternationalWomensDay, #EachforEqual #Weltfrauentag, #EmbraceEquity