International Women's Day, celebrated annually on March 8th, serves as a powerful reminder of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women worldwide. It's a day of celebration and a call to action for accelerating gender parity and fostering inclusivity. In industries like security, traditionally a predominantly male sector, the journey towards parity and recognition for women in all levels of roles is ongoing. However, through empowerment, education, and allyship, significant strides are being made to elevate women to leadership and decision-making roles. Recognizing and amplifying the voices of women within these sectors not only promotes diversity but also enhances innovation and effectiveness, driving positive change for society.
Fostering Inclusion Through Equal Opportunity:
At GardaWorld and our various businesses, we pride ourselves on creating a workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. Our recruitment process is transparent and non-discriminatory, aimed at attracting highly qualified individuals while promoting diversity at all organizational levels. In the U.S., our Diversity and Inclusion National Committee focuses on ensuring a diverse applicant flow, while in Canada, partnerships with external associations promote hiring from marginalized groups, including Indigenous people, immigrants, graduates, retirees, and women.
Changing the Narrative in a Male-Dominated Field:
Historically, the security industry has been male dominated. However, with each passing year, we welcome more women to our team who challenge stereotypes and demonstrate exceptional professionalism and competence. Our efforts are reflected in the steady improvement of female representation across our global workforce, and in three employment categories that highlight our commitment to fostering gender diversity and inclusivity within our workforce. Our organization has seen notable increases of women in total employees (25.1% vs. 22.7% in 2021), managers (28.4% vs. 17.2% in 2021), and front-line employees (24.6% vs. 22.5% in 2021). We are proud to see significant progress, particularly in managerial roles, reflecting our dedication to empowering women to take on leadership positions within the organization.
Spotlight on Promoting Equitable Opportunities:
In regions where cultural and social norms present obstacles to equitable employment outcomes, we are implementing targeted initiatives to drive change. In the past year, our East Africa Business Unit embarked on a comprehensive scoping study aimed at advancing gender equality throughout our operations. This initiative underscores our dedication to addressing gender disparities meaningfully and complements the significant progress already witnessed across our operations in East Africa. Notably, our involvement in the UNDP Gender Equality Seal Program in Rwanda has yielded positive impacts. This initiative, in collaboration with UN Women and the Gender Monitoring Office, strives to enhance gender accountability in the private sector, fostering gender-inclusive growth and sustainable development. Through the establishment of a Gender Committee representing key departments, our practices underwent rigorous assessment, leading to substantial changes. These changes ranged from revising deployment practices to better support childcare obligations to implementing gender-sensitive revisions in training and targeted recruitment drives.
The tangible outcomes of these efforts are evident in the remarkable transformation observed within our operational workforce. Over a span of 18 months, the number of women in operational roles tripled, with more than 600 women actively contributing as of March 2022. Furthermore, there was a notable increase in the proportion of management positions held by women, rising from 25% to 40% within the same period. These statistics underscore the tangible impact of our initiatives in fostering gender diversity and inclusion, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to driving positive change within our organization and the broader community.
The Future of Female Leadership
Empowering women in the security industry is not just a moral imperative but also a strategic necessity. By fostering inclusion, promoting diversity, and championing female leadership, we not only create a more equitable workplace but also unlock untapped potential and drive innovation. As we continue this journey, we remain committed to breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes, and building a future where all individuals, regardless of gender, have equal opportunities to thrive. International Women's Day serves as a reminder of the progress made and the work still to be done, inspiring us to double down on our efforts in creating a more inclusive and diverse world.
