Global Campaign to Boost the Number of Women in the Meat Industry
Meat Business Women (MBW) has launched a global campaign, "The Power of You," aimed at empowering women working in the meat industry and fostering the involvement of male allies. This campaign follows the success of MBW's flagship initiative, "She Looks Like Me." "The Power of You" seeks to share inspiring stories of individuals within the industry, spotlight best practices in inclusivity, and bolster the confidence and empowerment of women at all stages of their careers.
The campaign's inception was prompted by MBW's 2023 Global Gender Representation Report, which revealed an increase in women at leadership levels but an overall decrease in female representation in the global meat workforce. While 53% of industry professionals believe that inclusion has gained prominence since 2020, there is still much work to be done.
"The Power of You" aims to shine a light on role models within the meat industry and encourages individuals to undertake three key actions. First, they are encouraged to recognise their unique strengths and skills. Second, they should respond by amplifying their voices and taking meaningful actions. Lastly, they are urged to reciprocate by sharing their experiences and knowledge, paying it forward to benefit others.
Laura Ryan, the global chair of Meat Business Women, emphasised the importance of inclusion in the industry's future success. She stated, "The data tells us that inclusion is no longer a 'nice-to-have,' but rather a necessity if the meat industry is to thrive in the years to come. If we want to continue making positive change by building an inclusive and supportive sector, then we have to come together to make it happen. 'The Power of You' aims to inspire and empower individuals but also encourage the industry to come together as a collective to take action and drive forward positive change."
To support the launch of the campaign, a series of videos featuring prominent figures in the meat industry sharing their career journeys will be released. The inaugural video will showcase Monisha Singh, the Senior Customer Marketing Manager at Kepak, and it will be available starting on 12th September.
Reflecting on her experiences, Singh emphasised the role that belief from others played in her career growth, saying, "I think another person's belief in me gave me the confidence I needed to go for things that I wouldn't normally go for. They can see a value in me that I hadn't recognised." She believes that this encouragement aligns with the core message of "The Power of You," which is about recognising and utilising one's unique skill set and adding value to the industry.
MBW is actively encouraging everyone in the meat industry, including businesses and individuals, to engage with the campaign through social media. They are providing a free downloadable media kit to facilitate participation. Laura Ryan urged, "We are encouraging everyone in the meat industry – businesses and individuals – to download the media kit from the Meat Business Women website, share our campaign videos, and post their own #ThePowerOfYou content. Help us empower others and create a more inclusive sector."
"The Power of You" is a significant campaign that aims to empower and inspire women in the meat industry while promoting inclusivity and gender diversity. By sharing stories of success, encouraging self-recognition, and fostering a culture of support and mentorship, MBW hopes to drive positive change in the industry and ensure a thriving future for all its participants.