International Day of Women and Girls in Science

11^th February marks International Day of Women and Girls in Science – an annual observance adopted by the United Nations General Assembly to promote the full, equal access and participation of females in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields.

As an organisation rooted in innovation, P&G recognises the importance of continuing to drive for greater diversity in STEM fields – bringing together bright, diverse teams to solve complex challenges. Doing so enables us to be a Force for Growth by ensuring our organisation is reflective of the rich diversity of the people who buy our products each and every day. This, in turn, enables to continue to be a Force for Good – working with our employees, leveraging our brands, and standing alongside our partners to deliver meaningful change in local communities.

It's a mission that is close to our Lead Team Sponsor for Gender Equality, Seb Britten’s, heart:

“I’ve been Lead Team Sponsor for Gender Equality at P&G Northern Europe for almost three years now, and am passionate about ensuring we continue our journey towards a more gender-equal world. As Senior Director for IT, it’s in my professional interest to ensure that I build a dynamic and diverse organisation; one that has a breadth of knowledge and experiences that help to drive our company to new heights. But more than that, I have a personal connection to this area. I am the father of two daughters, both of whom I want to see thrive in whatever it is that makes them happy. The thought of that not being possible for any reason really upsets me. Driving for a more equal world is hugely important each and every day - all the way from the immediate teams we work in, through to the society we live in. But moments like today provide an important opportunity for us to focus more squarely on our efforts; feeling proud for all that we have achieved, whilst maintaining the momentum we need for the future.”

Increasing diversity in STEM careers continues to form a critical part of our local gender equality strategy. But we recognise you can’t be what you can’t see, and are committed to raising the voices of our amazing STEM talent in order to continue our collective journey of building knowledge and understanding. That’s why we were so pleased to partner with Freeda Media – a content platform that stands to represent the voices of new generations of people who don’t recognise themselves in traditional gender categories – last summer, working with three inspiring STEM talents to share their perspective. They each work in different UK sites, within different areas of STEM, and have hugely varied experiences. Together, they encouraged young people to pursue their passion in STEM fields, whilst highlighting the critical importance of building and maintaining a culture of inclusivity within the industry.

Check out our content with Freeda Media via our LinkedIn channel here. To find out more about gender equality at P&G, take a look at our 2022 Northern Europe Citizenship Report.