In the past year, women from all around the world have made great efforts to fight the global pandemic. The United Nations announced the theme “Women in Leadership” for the International Women's Day in 2021, focusing on the continuous promotion of Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women under the influence of the health crisis.
In order to further promote gender diversity in corporate operations, and increase the number of women in management and leadership within the Group, Veolia introduced the internal collaboration network "WEDO", which is dedicated to promote gender equality and diversity in the workplace, as well as demonstrate equal rights and opportunities for women at work and during decisions-making.
The name WEDO is a combination of the words "WE" and "DO", it represents the determination to put it into action together and it is a mutual commitment. Currently, the WEDO network has successfully attracted more than 2,000 employees to join, including both male and female; and the number of members within the WEDO network continues to grow. Veolia is committed to continuously and actively recruit all kinds of talents to participate in the Group’s business activities and corporate developments.
On the 8th March 2021, the first "WE DO" gender diversity week was launched, and Veolia employees from all over the world have initiated and taken part in various interesting activities through the WEDO network. From 8th to 12th March 2021, all employees at Veolia China participated in webinars and project courses related to gender equality and diversity, which helped them to have a better understanding on the positive impacts created by women and the confusions they might experience in the workplace, and also how women can cultivate a sense of happiness at work. A wide range of activities took place at different project sites in China, including team building activities, handcraft classes, tea parties, spa treatments, book clubs and much more. It was a great opportunity to reward these hardworking “workplace heroines”, as well as raising their awareness on their personal and career developments. These precious and wonderful moments have been captured and they are shared in the "Yes WEDO at Veolia'' photo album and the current WEDO community.
To embrace and empower women at the workplace, Veolia has also initiated the "Women in Leadership" project to help female managers in their career development. A partnership was also formed with an organisation called the “Girls on the Move”, with the aim to encourage more women in achieving the goals in areas they desire to develop themselves. In the past few years, Veolia China has regularly organised outstanding female engineers and technicians from different fields to share their experiences and career developments with students at various campuses, and also answer employment questions from female students.
Gender balance is a very important element in improving corporate credibility and workplace equality. Internally, it creates stronger bonds in teams and strengthens collaborations; and externally, it enhances the company's image and reliability.
To achieve gender equality and gender diversity, it requires dedication and commitment from every single one of us. Veolia will continue to contribute in helping female employees in pursuing their future career goals and developments!
