UPL launches UPelas movement to encourage and value female presence in agriculture

UPL, one of the four largest agricultural solutions companies in Brazil, reinforces its commitment to society and the search for more rights and equality for women, with the launch on March 8 of the UPelas movement. The campaign, which began on International Women's Day, at Expodireto Cotrijal – in Não-Me-Toque (RS) – aims to recognize, promote and intensify the female presence in agribusiness.

"UPL is in constant movement in favor of gender diversity. Today, 20% of our team is made up of women and this percentage grows every year. We want to take another step and bring this ideal to society and connect in a way even more intense with women who contribute to sustainable agriculture and who have needs, aspirations and desires in common", says Fernanda Poloni Blasque, communications manager at UPL in Brazil.

Through the UPelas campaign, the company uses various opportunities – such as agricultural fairs, such as Expodireto – to intensify its relationship with the female public, carrying out actions designed exclusively for them. "This movement, which is already happening internally at UPL, is now being shared with producers, researchers, influencers, wives and other women linked to the field", says Fernanda.

"The UPelas movement shares with society the ideals of one of the company's most pillars: recognizing and encouraging the work of women in agribusiness", highlights the communications manager.

With this concept, during Expodireto, UPL has a special action to launch the movement, with an Instagrammable panel for photos and a special gift was also prepared for this moment.

Diversity

"UPL loves diversity", highlights Maria da Conceição Guimarães, who 16 years ago was the first woman to take on a top-level position at UPL and is now the company's human resources director. "Since the beginning of our operations in the country, we have been guided by women's rights, which have always been naturally respected in all functions at UPL. We are proud to always evolve in this direction."

Four internal actions reinforce this UPL commitment. The first of them is made up of two words: "Diversity" and "Inclusion". Embracing these concepts, the company of Indian origin attracts and supports talent, providing a healthy environment for everyone – based on the ideal of having an "always human" workplace –, regardless of skin color, gender, age or disability .

"UPL also has a policy of organizing the different sectors of the company so that employees with children up to 2 years of age do not travel and can sleep with the little ones every night. In addition, we offer special kits and daycare assistance up to 2 years. This program was called Mais Mulheres no Campo and has exactly this objective: to show that we are a diverse company and we want to attract more women", comments Conceição.

In this sense, the company develops periodic actions to enhance the careers of its employees. The global action "UPL Women's Network" consists of promoting women's excellence, capturing and developing female talent, enabling them to manage their personal and professional lives with success, well-being and pride.

"We also carry out the 'Women in Leadership' action. This is a women's mentoring program carried out in partnership with Right Management, a specialist career consultancy. In this initiative, we hold workshops, meetings and outline strategic projects that help our goal of train and prepare women to take on leadership positions at UPL", informs the human resources director. "Women are our future."