Many ASX-listed giants often plaster their marketing and recruitment campaigns with grandiose claims of supporting women, boasting an “empowered” culture and a dedication to the development of their people. They shout from the rooftops about their commitment to diversity and inclusion, in each company LinkedIn post there is a token white dude, a token yellow female and a cross-section of all the other pronouns and colours of the rainbow.
But I have found the reality is far from what is portrayed. Behind the glossy facade lies a disturbing truth: these companies have been slashing their budgets for anything deemed “non-revenue generating”. In case you missed the memo, they put employee development, diversity and inclusion and women’s initiatives in this bucket.
So, at the same time that these organisations are parading slogans of empowerment and gender equality, their dollars aren’t matching their words and they’re conveniently turning a blind eye. The very organisations that claim to champion women’s rights and cultural diversity are undermining the progress they purport to support.
Larger organisations, with their deep pockets, vast resources and reach, have the power to make a real difference. They could invest in programs that promote women’s leadership, mentorship, and professional development. They could create safe and inclusive work environments where women can thrive and rise to leadership positions. They could honour their commitments and develop their people. Instead, many have chosen to cut corners.
The irony is not lost on us. They pour millions into flashy marketing campaigns, hoping to lure in consumers with their hollow promises of gender equality. Yet, when it comes to investing in real change, they tighten their purse strings and neglect the very initiatives they claim to hold dear.
These budget cuts disproportionately impact women in the workforce. It’s the women who suffer the most from these broken promises. They face limited opportunities for advancement, unequal pay, and a persistent gender gap in leadership positions. And all the while, big organisations pat themselves on the back for their empty gestures and photo ops featuring token women in high-ranking roles.
We need to call out this hypocrisy and demand accountability. We deserve more than just lip service and empty slogans. Women, especially those from a minority backgrounds, deserve real support, genuine investment, and tangible opportunities for growth.
Is anyone else surprised about the dodgy practices of PwC in the latest scandal impacting the Australian government?
I, for one, am not.
This is the same organisation that thought it was perfectly acceptable to hold an internal event where key members of staff acted out a skit mocking Chinese accents. In the height of a global pandemic when racial tensions were sky high. Adding more hypocritical fuel to the fire is that they are a major sponsor of the 40 Under 40 Asian Australian Awards.
If these companies truly want to support and develop women, they must start by allocating adequate resources and funding to D&I programs – regardless of what their share price is, if they didn’t meet their sales targets or any other variable for that matter. It must be non-negotiable and just “how the company does business”.
I’m an award-winning entrepreneur, MBA qualified, bilingual, a TEDx speaker (with a second TEDx underway) and about to publish my first book. The number of times I’ve been asked to speak in exchange for ‘exposure’ is insulting. The number of times multi-billion-dollar companies request hefty discounts or take up to 6 months to pay an invoice – crippling. On my mental and financial health.
Bigger is certainly not better. With great power, visibility and size comes responsibility and accountability. Large organisations must be pressured to prioritise gender equality in their hiring practices, promotions, and pay scales. They must create a culture of inclusion, where women are not just seen but also heard and valued.
To those big players who continue to peddle false promises, we say ‘enough’. It’s time to stop exploiting women’s aspirations for the sake of your own image.
In the end, it’s not about the slogans or trending hashtags. It’s about creating a workplace where women have equal opportunities, where they can rise based on merit and skill, not gender. It’s about dismantling the systemic barriers that hold women back and forging a path toward true gender equality.
So, who’s ready to put their money where their mouth is?
Stop the empty gestures and start investing in real change.
Real change needs resources.
Real change needs sponsorship.
Real change needs grit.
Real change needs both carrot and stick.
The women of the world are watching, and they demand more than just empty promises.