Although gender equality and diversity are key priorities for companies across industries, progress remains slow. Women remain underrepresented in many sectors, particularly in management and leadership positions.
In 2022, the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA) Switzerland and PwC Switzerland partnered to examine the state of gender equality in the commodity, trading, and logistics industry with a Swiss-specific focus. The study concentrated not only on company policies, but also on employees’ perceptions and experiences of gender equality. The survey ‘Moving, but not fast enough: Gender diversity & equality in the Swiss commodity & trading industry’ was published in December 2022 and sparked a renewed interest in the topic.
In this new report ‘Driving forward: Shaping gender diversity and inclusion in the commodity and trading industry’, we build on our previous study to further explore the advancement of gender equality – and to highlight progress with successful practice examples, with the aim of inspiring other companies to embark or continue on the journey to build an inclusive workplace.
Where do we stand and what’s been cricitcal in achieving progress?
One thing is clear: overall, there is encouraging progress and increased commitment to diversity and inclusion in the commodity trading sector, but continued efforts are needed to maintain momentum and achieve lasting change. Below, we share a glips of the findings that have been critical in achieving progress.
Strong leadership support: Demonstrating commitment from the top levels of management to drive and support D&I initiatives across the organisation.
Strategic recruitment and talent pipelines: Improving recruitment processes to attract a more diverse candidate pool through gender-neutral job descriptions and targeted initiatives.
Performance indicators and accountability: Adopting metrics and pledges to measure progress and hold companies accountable for creating balanced and inclusive leadership teams.
Interested to know more? We trust you’ll find the study’s insights valuable.