Creating more opportunities for women is no longer just a social imperative—it is a business priority that drives resilience, innovation, and long-term growth. In the Philippines, where women continue to play a critical role in the workforce, companies are stepping up efforts to address persistent gaps in leadership access, caregiving support, and economic participation.
For Unilever Philippines, this means embedding inclusion into its core strategy—through workplace policies, leadership development, and community-based programs that enable women to thrive across all stages of life.
Building inclusive workplaces
Women make up more than half of Unilever Philippines’ workforce, with around 660 employees across leadership, supply chain, and field operations, including roles traditionally dominated by men. This reflects a long-term strategy to embed inclusion as a business imperative rather than a standalone initiative.
The company has strengthened its support systems over the years, expanding maternity leave benefits from 120 days in 2017 to 150 days today, exceeding statutory requirements. These are complemented by workplace facilities such as on-site daycare centers, nursing rooms, and access to essential hygiene products—practical measures that enable women to better balance career and family responsibilities.
Grounded in the Filipino value of malasakit, these initiatives aim to create a workplace culture where employees feel supported and empowered to grow.
“True inclusion happens when companies go beyond policies and actively create environments where women feel seen and supported,” said Geeta Royyuru. “At Unilever, we remain intentional in opening more pathways for women to lead and thrive.”
One example is Zophia Nicolas, now a Sourcing Unit Manager, whose career journey—from intern to leadership—demonstrates how mentorship and equal opportunity can help women succeed in manufacturing. Her experience underscores the importance of creating spaces where women are encouraged to step into leadership roles.
Extending impact to communities
Beyond its workforce, Unilever Philippines is advancing women’s empowerment through livelihood and sustainability programs.
Through Misis Walastik, its plastic waste collection initiative, women are given opportunities to earn additional income while contributing to environmental protection. Beneficiaries like Karen King, a mother of three, have been able to support their families through waste collection while running small businesses on the side.
The company also invests in grassroots entrepreneurship through programs such as GentriAsenso in General Trias and the Kabisig Summit, which provides training in financial literacy, digital tools, and business development for sari-sari store owners. Women account for 89% of Kabisig partners, with more than 30,000 trained over the past decade—strengthening their capacity to build resilient micro-enterprises.
Driving inclusive growth
By integrating workplace inclusion with community development, Unilever Philippines is building a broader ecosystem that supports women not only as employees, but as entrepreneurs, caregivers, and community leaders.
These initiatives highlight how businesses can play a pivotal role in advancing gender equality—creating opportunities that enable women to succeed and lead across all aspects of society.