LS&Co. Unzipped

Welcome to our blog. Here’s where you’ll find a “behind-the-seams” look at what’s going on with Levi Strauss & Co. You’ll hear from a variety of voices, from both inside and outside the company. And you have the chance to share your thoughts. So read on — and weigh in!

Mar 08 2012

The Power of Women – Today and Tomorrow

When it comes to women, ours is an interesting industry. While women may dominate the number of apparel industry workers around the world, they don’t always have the power and respect that should come with such numbers.

Levi Strauss & Co. has long worked to ensure the rights of workers. In 1991, we were the first multinational apparel company to establish a comprehensive workplace code of conduct for our manufacturing suppliers.

Such a code – our Terms of Engagement – enables the women (and men) who make our product to take pride in the work they do – and know that they’ll be treated fairly in terms of working hours, wages and benefits, freedom of association, and health and safety.

Two years ago, ours was one of the first companies to sign the CEO Statement of Support for the Women’s Empowerment Principles. This is an initiative of the United National Development Fund for Women and the UN Global Compact.

The principles represent seven steps that businesses like ours can take to advance and empower women globally and advance women’s issues within our own company. I’m proud to be on the Principle’s leadership group.

Today is International Women’s Day. And in New York this week, the United Nations is hosting conferences for and about women. Levi Strauss & Co. is a sponsor and presenter.

What will we say?

That we’re taking a look at what we do as a company, using the Women’s Empower Principles as guidelines. And we’ve found that while we’re moving forward in support of women, we still have some work to do. 

The good news is about half our workforce is female, and we have solid representation among our leadership ranks. But we also have an opportunity to expand our support of women in our global workforce. While our company policies and practices around the world support women, the lessons from the U.S. can help us strengthen what we do worldwide.

Again, there’s work to be done to support women here and around the world. I’m proud to say that I’m at a company that’s committed to doing it, even as we strive to grow our business and be successful. The two are not mutually exclusive. In fact, I’m convinced that as Levi Strauss & Co. becomes more successful, we’ll create more great opportunities for women. And we'll use our influence to benefit women everywhere.

Happy International Women’s Day – and here’s to tomorrow!

Posted By: Anne Rohosy, EVP, Levi Strauss & Co.

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Sue Swinger Ellbogen (not verified) - Mar 15 2012
Thanks for continuing to make this an important cause; one that cannot be put on the back burner thinking that all is well in the workplace in the new millennium. Women in leadership still have a long way to go to achieve equality. When we have more women like Christine LeGarde in charge of major corporations as well as in politics the world will see positive changes. Thanks for your work.

Sally (not verified) - Mar 08 2012
Happy international women's day!

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