#ExplainIt: Diversity in the Asian context [Video]

Diversity and inclusion is no doubt becoming a growing area of concern for companies nowadays. Just yesterday, Prada Group said it is deepening its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion within the company and the fashion industry as a whole, with substantial investments in talent and educational advancement programmes. These include the Generation Prada internship, Prada Group FIT scholarships, Prada Group UNFPA education module, and Prada + Dorchester Industries experimental design lab. Meanwhile, NBC also recently announced that it will no longer broadcast the Golden Globes Awards show next year as a result of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association being questioned by Hollywood around its lack of diversity.

On the advertising front, traditional agency networks WPP, IPG, Dentsu, Publicis Groupe, Omnicom Group, and Havas are also making moves in the diversity and inclusion space. Marketing consultancy R3 also tied up with the American Association of Advertising Agencies to further develop diversity, equity and inclusion in marketing.

According to a recent study by PwC which surveyed 32,517 individuals across 19 countries, the pandemic resulted in many more women than men leaving the workforce over the past year. Additionally, 50% of workers said they have faced discrimination at work, which caused them to miss out on career advancement or training. Nearly 22% were passed over because of their age, with younger workers just as likely as older people to be impacted. At the same time, 13% reported missing out on opportunities as a result of ethnicity, while 13% report discrimination on the basis of social class or background. Around 14% also said they experienced discrimination on the grounds of gender.

As Asia is a fragmented region with a plethora of cultures and ethnicities, the concept of diversity and inclusion goes beyond gender equality. Co-founder and principal of R3 Worldwide, Goh Shufen, told MARKETING-INTERACTIVE that diversity in the Asian context involves many factors in addition to gender and ethnicity. It is also about age, culture, traditions, and bridging the past, present and future. "We have inherited a rich and diverse transcultural phenomenon - from religious to commercial - influenced by Buddhism, Islam and the Silk Road," she added.

What does diversity in Asia mean to industry players? Let's find out!

Click on each picture to watch a video!

1. Nizwani Shahar, chief executive, Ogilvy Malaysia

2. Raushida Vasaiwala, GM, Asia Pacific, Celtra

3. Srinivas Gattamneni, CEO, ADA

4. Melissa van Dam, lead HR business partner, Asia, MediaMonks

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE’s Adland's Diversity & Inclusion Index recognises Asia's change-makers who are pushing the boundaries and cultivating a culture for tomorrow. Nominate case studies of your D&I initiatives for workforce in Asia today!

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