Every March 8, the world observes International Women’s Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It also brings attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.
This year, The Hershey Company just launched its month-long #HerShe campaign through unique packaging design celebrating “SHEroes,” additional support of its non-profit partnership and a new global mentorship program designed to celebrate and empower women and girls around the world and help create the next generation of diverse leaders.
This year’s theme, ‘’Celebrate #HerSHE”, inspires consumers to celebrate the limitless potential and impact of women and girls.
“(We are) committed to advancing gender equity, investing in both girls and women, and driving global female-focused storytelling,” The Hershey Company said in a statement.
“Elevating women – and championing their power each and every day – is in our DNA at Hershey,” said Ahmad Nasser, Marketing Director – AEMEA at The Hershey Company. “Far too often, the impact of women and girls can go unnoticed.”
Nassar said the theme aims to celebrate Sheroes – female heroes – “among us by leveraging our platform to showcase how women can reach their limitless potential when recognized and empowered.”
“(Our company) is excited to take part in this year’s global activations while reinforcing our commitment to uplifting women each and every day,” Nassar pointed out.
The Hershey Company’s award-winning #HerSHE campaign this year will come to life in four countries across Southeast Asia: the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia.
“The goal of #HerSHE is to make invisible women visible and the company will transform its iconic 40 grams Hershey’s milk chocolate bar wrapper, as well as that of other popular flavours, into a celebration of women, their accomplishments, and the impact they have made in their respective countries,” the statement said.
Among these women is Meggie Ochoa from the Philippines, a Southeast Asia Games gold medalist in Jiu-Jitsu and founder of Fight to Protect; Malaysia’s Nor Fadilah Mohamed Nizar, founder of social enterprise Johor Empowerment of Intellectual Women Association (JEIWA); Thailand’s Kawiporn Winichthaoprathom, founder of Fairy House of Stray Animals which shelters over 2,000 strays; and Singapore’s Yeok Yong Ling, chairperson of Beautiful People (a non-profit skill-based advocacy for teen girls).
The campaign will also come to life through an online community with curated templates and personalized messaging that consumers can use to celebrate, recognize, share on social media, and honor the stories of Sheroes who have inspired them.
The Hershey Company has long been a champion for women, with gender equity and gender representation throughout the company’s leadership and around the world serving as a key element of the company’s enterprise diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategy.
Over the past two years, the company has consecutively been named to Forbes’ list of the World’s Top Female Friendly Companies – notably taking first place in 2021.
To further extend women-forward storytelling, Hershey, as well as its regions including India, Mexico, Philippines, Thailand, and Canada, are again partnering with Girl Up, a non-profit committed to advancing girls’ skills, rights, and opportunities to be leaders, to amplify the voices of girls and women who are making a difference around the world on digital and social platforms.
Founded by the United Nations Foundation in 2010, Girl Up’s leadership development programs have impacted more than 125,000 girls through 5,000 Clubs in 130 countries and all 50 U.S. states, inspiring a generation of girls to be a force for gender equality and social change.
In addition, The Hershey Company and Girl Up will launch a global mentorship cohort, pairing ten young women with international leaders for ongoing personal and career development.
The Hershey Company is headquartered in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and is an industry-leading snacks company known for bringing goodness to the world through its iconic brands, remarkable people, and enduring commitment to help children succeed. Hershey has approximately 19,000 employees around the world who work every day to deliver delicious, quality products.
The company has more than 100 brand names in approximately 80 countries around the world that drive more than $10 billion in annual revenues, including such iconic brand names as Hershey’s, Reese’s, Kisses, Jolly Rancher, and Ice Breakers.
For more than 125 years, Hershey has been committed to operating fairly, ethically, and sustainably. Hershey founder, Milton Hershey, created Milton Hershey School in 1909 and since then the company has focused on helping children succeed. (PR)