On the occasion of the 49th International Women’s Day, Amazon India reaffirms its dedication to honoring the diverse experiences, cultures, and perspectives that women bring to the workforce. Aligned with this year’s theme, ‘Inspire Inclusion,’ the company brings to the centerstage 49 multifaceted programs and initiatives that it created over the years and their significant impact on women within its ecosystem.

Amazon India has implemented a range of policies, programs, and initiatives aimed at enhancing women’s representation and facilitating their professional growth within and outside the organization. The initiatives aim to support women employees at various stages of their careers, from recruitment to talent development. Key programs include the ‘rekindle’ offering a launchpad for women re-entering the workforce; Ramp Back, facilitating a gradual return to work after maternity or parental leave; AmVoice listening sessions, providing a platform for senior leadership to address the concerns of women employees; and Women in Night Shifts (WINS), ensuring a safe and supportive work environment for women across all shifts.

In addition to internal programs, Amazon’s initiatives extend to making a positive impact on women beyond its workforce. Examples include Amazon Saheli, a pioneering program that was launched in November 2017, aimed at empowering and enabling women entrepreneurs across the country to sell their products on the Amazon.in marketplace; AmazeWIT, a forum that brings together technology companies, industry experts, NGOs, Government, to formulate interventions and programs aimed at encouraging participation of women in STEM education as well as careers in the fields of Engineering and Technology; Amazon WOW, a network platform launched in 2021, that provides a space for women in engineering to connect with Amazon leaders, recruiters, and the broader Amazon community; Amazon Future Engineer, for which Amazon has partnered with several education-focused non-profit organizations, including Leadership for Equity and Quest Alliance to take computer science education to more than 10,000 schools in India.

Sharing her thoughts on the occasion of the International Women’s Day, Deepti Varma, Vice President, People Experience Technology at Amazon India, Japan, and Emerging Markets, shares, “At Amazon, inclusion isn’t merely a goal; it’s ingrained in every aspect of our culture, a fundamental way of life. We foster an environment where the journey of our women employees is not just recognized, but celebrated, propelling us towards a future where every individual has the opportunity to flourish and contribute their unique talents and perspectives to our collective success. As one of our Leadership Principles, ‘Success and Scale bring broad responsibility’ we are committed to embracing and uplifting women from diverse backgrounds through our numerous programs and benefits. These initiatives are continuously assessed and adapted based on the evolving needs of our women employees, associates and partners.”

To mark the occasion, Amazon India has launched the third edition of ‘She Is Amazon’ campaign spotlighting the women behind Amazon’s success in India. The campaign showcases 49 compelling narratives stories showcased in a life size photo gallery installed in its offices across the country. Featuring the diverse roles and contributions of women, from Seller Partners to Operations Network Partners, Community Beneficiaries, Employees, and Associates, the gallery underscores the pivotal influence of women in enriching Amazon’s diverse customer base. Beyond celebrating their achievements, the campaign emphasizes the myriad benefits, programs, and initiatives tailored to empower women both within and beyond the organization, thereby advancing their professional journeys and exemplifying Amazon’s unwavering commitment to women’s inclusion. Through the #SheIsAmazon campaign, Amazon India aims to inspire inclusivity, celebrate diversity, and empower women to reach their full potential while demonstrating its commitment to creating a workplace where all voices are heard and valued.

Leading up to the International Women’s Day, Amazon India recently announced the launch of Women in Night Shifts (WINS) at one of its large Sort Centre in Haryana. In addition to Amazon’s existing initiatives, WINS is designed to provide a safe and supportive work environment for women, ensuring equal opportunities for all to work in various shifts, and championing inclusivity for all.

Amazon India also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ‘Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship (GAME), to collaborate and promote digital growth of women entrepreneurs in India, especially in Tier-2, Tier-3 cities and beyond. Through this partnership, Amazon India will aim to support approximately 25,000 women entrepreneurs and artisans in their digital entrepreneurial journey.

Amazon India further announced several key initiatives as part of its ongoing commitment to women’s empowerment, focusing on menstrual hygiene, entrepreneurship development, digital financial literacy, and social entitlement awareness. These include a) ensuring easy access to sanitary napkins and safe disposal of menstrual waste in schools, benefiting over 1900 adolescent girls across 19 schools, b) conducting entrepreneurship development training for women entrepreneurs involved in advanced sanitary napkin manufacturing units, equipping them with the necessary skills for self-sustainability, c) launching a digital financial literacy program reaching out to over 2000 women from underserved communities, empowering them with the knowledge and skills needed for financial independence, d) Community camps to raise awareness and facilitate enrolment in social entitlement schemes, with a focus on promoting schemes that empower women and girls.