Well, we’ve hit 2023 running.
The International Women’s Day video is in production, tickets to our first State Chapter event with Nas Campanella are selling fast and preparations for International Women’s Day with Jana Pittman in Sydney are well underway. Pride in Drinks has launched - you’ll find more information about them here - and Sydney WorldPride 2023 has kicked off.
Last week the Albanese government introduced a bill to Parliament that if passed will see company’s gender pay gaps published by WGEA. As it now stands, this detail is only reported by an industry average. Businesses will also be required to provide their WGEA gender equality reports to their governing bodies.
In the coming months, the Drinks Association will be releasing its Scorecard for 2022. The Scorecard is an invaluable tool to help us measure trends over time and invoke action. The data is drawn from WGEA's reporting, and where companies don’t report to WGEA, it is collected manually. The scorecard gives the Drinks Association's member companies visibility of the data as well as an insight into where their business sits in relation to the wider industry.
Last October, more than 40 member representatives attended a strategy workshop to discuss the next areas of focus for the industry in the DE&I space.
Over the past two years the Council has made significant progress against its strategic intent with a focus on gender. From a solid basis, the Council is now broadening its DE&I focus to other aspects using forums like the State Chapter events, Leadership programs, the annual DE&I Toolkit and Scorecard. These forums and metrics have proven so valuable to date.
Over the next three years the Embrace Difference Council will continue to develop already established initiatives including:
• State Chapters in all states (including topics of mental health & wellbeing)
• The Cross Industry Inclusive Leadership Program, facilitated by Serendis
• International Women's Day
• Expansion of the Industry Toolkit
• Communications program & Partnerships model and
• Industry Resource Group – Pride
Additionally, the Council will develop further measurement tools along with a ‘Respect & Inclusion industry framework’ and by 2025 be communicating its DE&I position to our on- and off-premise business partners, expanding beyond the supplier community.
We intend to:
• Drive awareness of DE&I throughout the whole drinks industry, especially to trade, demonstrating that we are an industry that cares about, prioritises and upholds its commitment to DE&I
• Develop an internal ‘burning platform’ approach to DE&I, ie: 'Change is here, it is happening now and all suppliers need to make the leap, regardless of perceived risks.'
• Drive awareness of DE&I ROI & best practice
• Develop Industry Resource Groups to create network of ambassadors tasked with driving change in the drinks industry and within their own member companies. Our first one is already established: Pride in Drinks.
• Be transparent in league tables to inspire greater maturity on the DE&I journey
• Develop an Industry Respect and Inclusion Framework
The scope of the Embrace Difference Council is broadening, and its ambitions are set high. The Council is run by people who give of their time freely in the interests of making the drinks industry more equitable, diverse and inclusive and, ultimately, to ensure that it is a career destination of choice. Ahead of International Women’s Day, my thanks to all who work on the Council, especially Sam Sullivan at Bacardi who has now stepped down from his role.
Happy International Women’s Day and WorldPride to all.
Sandra Gibbs is the Chair of the Embrace Difference Council.