09/24/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/24/2021 08:15
September 24, 2021
By Ben Hasan, Senior Vice President and Global Chief Culture, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, Walmart Inc.
Last year was pivotal for our country. It forced us to sit in an uncomfortable state of self-examination individually and collectively. In turn, we made conscious decisions to change. To do better. But change doesn't come easy, does it? Social systems that create inequity have been built over decades, so dismantling and rebuilding for the betterment of all people won't happen overnight. We are on a journey.
We often fixate on big acts of change - the splash we create when we toss a rock into the pond. But we must recognize that small actions, repeated over time, are equally important. They're the pebbles that create ripples and waves that transcend beyond a moment in time and create lasting change.
Today, we published our 2021 Mid-Year Culture, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Report. Within the report you'll see actions big and small, each representing an important step in our journey.
While all of the work is critical, here's what stands out to me:
Our focus on representation in the workplace is unwavering.
Supporting women in the workplace is critical. The data in our report suggests what we've known for a while - Across most industries, women are leaving the workforce at unsettling rates, in large part due to constraints of the pandemic.
We have a global opportunity to advance equity and inclusion for people with disabilities.
We will continue to build programs and provide resources aimed at bridging the gaps in our social systems. We cannot let perfect get in the way of progress. We're doing the work - big and small - focused not only on the splash, but also the ripples and waves that will create everlasting change.