Women in Marketing Africa Joins The Unstereotype Alliance South Africa


London, UK; Women in Marketing (WIM) CIC are please to announce that the Women in Marketing Africa hub, WiM Africa, has joined the Unstereotype Alliance. WiM Africa joins Unilever South Africa, Google South Africa, Facebook Africa, Kantar South Africa, The Loeries, The Marketing Association of South Africa and The Association for Alcohol Responsibility and Education (aware.org.za), plus many others, in working to eliminate harmful stereotypes in advertising and the media.

The Unstereotype Alliance is a global thought and action platform, convened by UN Women, that seeks to eradicate harmful gender-based stereotypes in media and advertising content. Stereotypes are a pervasive and powerful barrier that stands between societies and the dividends of gender equality. With the vision of an unstereotyped world, the Alliance unites industry players as a force for positive change. A growing and influential coalition, their members and allies span multinational brands and advertising networks, industry associations, awards festivals, media companies, not-for-profits and social change consultancies that share their common objective.

Gender stereotypes are culturally driven, and the Alliance takes a localised approach with National Chapters currently in Brazil, Turkey, South Africa, Japan, the UK and UAE with many more to follow.

Andrea Opoku, WiM Director and Africa Ambassador commented “We’re delighted to be a member of the Unstereotype Alliance in South Africa and part of such an important initiative aimed at achieving Gender Equality (SDG #5). As a community of marketers, advertisers and creatives we are in a unique position to be able to influence content that portrays harmful stereotypes which affect us all. We are excited to be part of a larger collective to drive forward this change.”

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NOTE TO EDITORS

About Women in Marketing CIC
Women in Marketing (WiM) CIC was created in 2004 by Ade Onilude out of a need for women in the marketing, advertising and communications professions to be recognised, celebrated and empowered to fulfil their potential. The first WiM event coincided with International Women’s Day on Work-Life Balance. Since then, the annual WiM events have grown and tackled topics such as ethical marketing, the creatives, branding and diversity in marketing, with the purpose of provoking discussion and inspiring women across the sectors and the wider business community.

The popularity of the events led to the introduction of the first WiM Awards in 2010. Past award winners have included senior executives from HP, Burberry, Google, Facebook, Hearst UK, Havas, Diageo and Ogilvy & Mather UK. Over the years, WiM has enjoyed the support of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), the Marketing Academy and sponsor organisations such as ITV, Mondelez, Vodafone, Havas Worldwide and HP.

Through their work WiM seeks to:
Educate & Inspire – Sharing knowledge from industry thought leaders and influencers
Connect – Bringing together key industry people for collaboration and growth
Recognise & Reward – Celebrating and championing the work of women in the sector, and their male advocates
Advocacy & Philanthropy – Supporting gender specific global initiatives.

WiM now serves a global network of influential individuals.
https://womeninmarketing.org.uk

About WiM Africa
The Women in Marketing (WiM) CIC Africa hub, WiM Africa, is headed by WiM Director and Africa Ambassador Andrea Opoku. WiM Africa launched in Durban, South Africa at the prestigious Leories Creative Week with a focus on the role the marketing and advertising industry has to play in stereotypical representations of women in society and culture. The South Africa chapter brings together women (and male advocates) in marketing, advertising and communications, and the associated creative professions, from across the country to connect, network, share ideas, experiences, best practice and celebrate each other’s achievements.

WiM Africa’s mission is to address the gender imbalances in the marketing, advertising and communication professions at all levels of seniority and show future generations of young women coming through the ranks what is possible. In doing so we safeguard the long-term profitability of the sector.

WiM Africa serves a growing community in South Africa and has plans to expand into West and East Africa.

About The Unstereotype Alliance
The Unstereotype Alliance is a thought and action platform, convened by UN Women, that seeks to eradicate harmful gender-based stereotypes in media and advertising content. Stereotypes are a pervasive and powerful barrier that stands between societies and the dividends of gender equality. With the vision of an unstereotyped world, the Alliance unites industry players as a force for positive change. A growing and influential coalition, our members and allies span multinational brands and advertising networks, industry associations, awards festivals, media companies, not-for-profits and social change consultancies that share their common objective.

Gender stereotypes are culturally driven and the Alliance takes a localised approach with National Chapters in Brazil, Turkey, South Africa, Japan, the UK and UAE with many more to follow. Now, the Unstereotype Alliance harnesses the collective influence of 152 members, including 45 from our global membership and 107 at a national level. As diversity and inclusion are increasingly recognised as drivers of effective advertising, the work of the Unstereotype Alliance continues to grow as not only a social imperative, but a case for better business.
https://www.unstereotypealliance.org/en

About UN Women
UN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and women’s empowerment. The Unstereotype Alliance, convened by UN Women, leverages both the United Nations’ global reach and recognition by 193 Member States as well as the private sector. Advocating against gender stereotypes is a priority area for UN Women, as a global champion for empowering women and girls and addressing harmful masculinities. By bringing together industry leaders under the auspices of the United Nations, the Unstereotype Alliance makes a powerful contribution towards a more equal world where people are represented in all the complexity of their culture and communities.

For media enquiries email hello@womeninmarketing.org.uk

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