International Women's Day - what does equality mean to us at AJ Products?

Helena Christensen, Head of HR for AJ Products Global

What is gender equality like at AJ Products?
"We are constantly working on the issue of equality and that work extends beyond policy and statutory requirements to active measures in the organisation. For us, it is a matter of course that AJ should be an open, inclusive and equal workplace. However, we must also take into account other grounds of discrimination such as racism, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, age and disability.

Embracing gender equality is about striving for a world where all people have the same rights and opportunities. It is about working to eliminate inequalities and discrimination. It is about giving women, men and people who identify as non-binary the same opportunity to make their voice heard so that they can achieve their full potential and contribute to the development of society.

We cannot rest in that work. It is about building and managing an open culture and helping the organisation with the right tools. When a new manager starts at AJ, training in Inclusive Leadership is a core part of the induction programme. For us, it's about being clear in our expectations of you as a leader and that inclusion is a prerequisite and an opportunity! In 2023, we will roll out an in-depth training programme for all managers. Equality starts with the leaders and the first step is to be aware of the inequalities and discrimination that exist in society."

What other factors are particularly important?
"We want to help our employees combine work and family life. In particular, we want to encourage an even take-up of parental leave and time off to cover childcare needs. The more fathers take an equal share of childcare responsibilities, the easier it will be for women to compete for jobs on equal terms. In the long run, it will hopefully lead to a culture in society where the issue of gender is not even relevant."

Is International Women's Day necessary?
"Absolutely! It is a reminder of how people in previous generations have fought for things we now take for granted, such as being able to vote and have a career. We must not forget those sacrifices, because we still have a way to go. By highlighting the issue and other issues related to inclusion, we can support and encourage individuals to break norms and follow their dreams, then together we can create a more equal society."