The GEI measures gender equality in over 70 metrics across five pillars, including the leadership and talent pipeline, gender pay parity, the promotion of an inclusive culture, anti-sexual harassment policies, and gender equality support outside the company.

It helps measure the performance of listed companies that are committed to transparency when reporting on gender equality. In 2023, Nestlé scored 78.5 per cent, which is above the average index score of 73 per cent.

Head of Group Human Resources and Global Business Services Béatrice Guillaume-Grabisch said, “We are pleased that our efforts to advance gender balance in our workforce and empower women across our value chain have been recognised once again. We strongly believe that acting to ensure women’s equal participation in society is not only the right thing to do, it also supports better decision-making that is founded on a more inclusive culture that enhances innovation and increases job satisfaction among employees. Gender equity is an ongoing journey. We will continue to prioritise it across our business as we travel the path to gender parity.”

Nestlé is accelerating its efforts to advance the gender balance within the company and continues to put policies, initiatives, and projects in place to build a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce and culture.

Currently, 45 per cent of its managerial positions are held by women and the company continues to work towards equality within its supply chain, particularly in the agricultural communities it sources from.

Since 2013, the Nestlé Group has committed to implementing the Women's Empowerment Principles with a seven-step business plan to strengthen gender equality and empower women to fully participate in all economic activities within their workplaces, the markets, and their communities, thereby contributing to not only improving their lives but also those of their families and society as a whole.

In Vietnam, Nestlé has implemented women's empowerment activities in their workplaces and within the value chain, such as the Nestlé Accompanies Women programme and the NESCAFÉ Plan.

Over the years, the proportion of women holding senior management and leadership positions at Nestlé Vietnam has increased annually. With nearly 3,000 employees, about half of Nestlé Vietnam's management staff are female. The average income of female employees is equal to that of their male colleagues.

Nestlé Vietnam has cooperated with the Vietnam Women’s Union to implement the Nestlé Accompanies Women programme to promote gender equality and empower women. In particular, the initiative has helped equip women in rural areas with the knowledge and skills to create sustainable livelihoods.

As of October 2022, the drive has attracted 8,000 female members across 20 cities and provinces nationwide to gain an education on nutrition and healthy lifestyle building. About 1.2 million families have gained access to nutritional and product knowledge.

Since 2011, Nestlé Vietnam has implemented the NESCAFÉ Plan in four provinces in the Central Highlands. Besides creating a positive impact on the sustainable development of Vietnam's coffee industry, the scheme has not only increased farmers’ incomes, but also enhanced the role and status of women by training female team leaders. Up to now, 274 farmer groups have been established, within which, more than 30 per cent are women.

In 2022, Nestlé Vietnam continued to rank among the top three Best Places to Work in Vietnam for the fifth consecutive year, according to the results of a survey conducted by Anphabe that was based on the opinions of more than 57,000 employees nationwide. Nestlé Vietnam also won the Vietnam HR Awards 2022 in two important categories, including Excellence in Employee Wellness and Best Talent Management Strategy – encompassing workforce planning and total rewards.

In addition, the company is also honoured to be the only foreign-invested enterprise to receive a certificate of merit from the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, with the title of Typical Enterprise for Employees in 2022.