As organizations around the country wrap up Pride Month celebrations, Unilever Philippines underscores that meaningful allyship is built through everyday action. The company believes that true inclusion is cultivated year-round through inclusive workplace policies, employee-led communities, and a culture rooted in belonging and unlimiting potential.
Bringing this commitment to life, Unilever Philippines kicked off its Pride Month celebration with Proud of U: Diversity & Allyship in the Workplace, an employee engagement mixer and social gathering that also marked the launch of the company's ProUd Network, Unilever's global Employee Resource Group (ERG) dedicated to supporting LGBTQI+ employees and their allies.
The gathering featured Pride champions Baus Rufo, Eva Le Queen, and KaladKaren, who joined company employee panelists in sharing personal stories and experiences that made allyship feel authentic, relatable, and actionable.
Employees learned more about the ProUd Network, which has grown to more than 1,300 members across 20 local chapters worldwide since its inception in 2018. It has served as a safe space for shared stories, learning, and advocacy that help advance workplace equality, diversity, and allyship.
“While the journey toward fully inclusive workplaces is far from complete, especially in a global organization as diverse as Unilever, the ProUd Network demonstrates that meaningful strides have been made and that there is a strong foundation on which to build,” says Richard Velasquez, ProUd Network Champion, Unilever Philippines.
Carrying that spirit beyond the workplace, Unilever Philippines employees joined thousands of advocates during the LoveLaban Pride Festival in Quezon City held recently. The company's participation featured booths from Cream Silk, Vaseline, and Pond's, with Cream Silk once again joining the march through its colorful float, accompanied by drag performer Eva Le Queen and social media influencer Sophie Prime and celebrated alongside the wider community.
Allyship in Action, Inclusion in Everyday Practice
For Unilever Philippines, Pride Month is one expression of a long-term commitment in creating an environment where everyone feels supported and empowered to succeed.
Across its departments and manufacturing facilities, inclusion is embedded in policies and support systems that recognize and accommodate the diverse needs of its employees. These range from practical resources to industry-leading benefits. Resources include gender-neutral uniforms in factory operations and gender-neutral restrooms in offices. Benefits include comprehensive medical coverage, 150 days of fully paid maternity leave, and 20 working days of fully paid paternity leave for eligible employees, which may be taken consecutively or in staggered periods.
To further support employees, Unilever Philippines has established Gender Transition Guidelines and Policy that provide clear guidance for employees, line managers, and HR Business Partners, alongside personalized transition support plans that ensure dignity, respect, and continuity throughout an employee's journey.
“At Unilever Philippines, inclusion is rooted in the Filipino value of malasakit,” shares Geeta Royyuru, Unilever Philippines HR Head and B&W SEA HR Lead. “By celebrating Pride, we reaffirm our commitment to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, empowered, and free to be their authentic selves. We are proud to see this commitment reflected in the increasing visibility of LGBTQ+ leaders across our business, whose presence is an example of how authenticity and inclusion can inspire people and drive organizational success.”
Recognizing the diversity of modern families, the company acknowledges same-sex domestic partners as eligible dependents, thereby extending to them key well-being and medical benefits. These include a comprehensive 24/7 Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that provides up to six free, confidential counseling sessions per case, as well as HMO coverage, shared medicine allowances, and applicable leave and employee benefits.
Beyond policies, Unilever Philippines also fosters its culture of belonging through shared experiences and interests. In addition to the ProUd Network, employee-led communities such as Moms in Customer Development, Parents Groups, and Fitness Clubs provide spaces for colleagues to build meaningful relationships, support one another, and strengthen connections across teams and functions.
Through both policies and culture, every initiative at Unilever Philippines is purposefully designed to build a workplace where diversity is celebrated and everyone has equal opportunities to grow, thrive, and unlimit their potential.
In 2027, Unilever Philippines will celebrate 100 years of creating a positive impact in communities across the country, made possible through well-loved household brands such as Dove, Knorr, Surf, Rexona, and many more that help make everyday life better. As it marks this milestone, the company remains committed to influencing positive change for society and the environment through innovation, sustainability, and purpose-led growth.