In March 2026, VML & Ogilvy Japan (VOJ) participated on the planning and steering committee for an International Women’s Day event held for all WPP in Japan employees. Under this year’s global theme, “Give to Gain,” the event focused on “Women’s Health and Career Development,” providing a valuable opportunity to reflect on creating an environment where all employees can reach their full potential.
■ Building an Inclusive Workplace Through Dialogue
Throughout the course of a career, health challenges and changes in life stages are something everyone can experience. However, these are often treated as personal issues, with few opportunities to discuss them openly in the workplace.
The goal of this event was to break down such unconscious biases and create a space where everyone could feel safe sharing their own experiences and thoughts. VOJ believes that an inclusive environment, where each and every person can be their “authentic self,” is the very source of innovation and sustainable growth.
■ Learning and Practice: Initiatives to Deepen Mutual Understanding
The event featured a session designed to deepen mutual understanding through concrete learning.
With the cooperation of Unicharm Corporation, who supported the event’s purpose, all participants watched an educational video on menstruation titled “Everyone’s Menstrual Training.” It was an opportunity for all employees, regardless of gender, to reaffirm that having the correct knowledge is the first step toward empathy and consideration.
Furthermore, Unicharm provided menstrual products, which were placed in the women’s restrooms on the WPP in Japan campus. We are sincerely grateful that an environment has been created where our employees can feel more comfortable and secure in their daily work.
■ Looking to the Future: VOJ’s Commitment
We received a great deal of positive feedback from participants, with comments such as, “It was extremely meaningful to be exposed to diverse perspectives,” and “It was great to have an atmosphere where we could comfortably talk about topics we had been hesitant to discuss before.”
VOJ views this event as an important step in promoting DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion). We believe that to support the brilliant careers of each and every employee, a corporate culture that respects well-being—including the realities of health—and welcomes open dialogue is essential.
Moving forward, we will strengthen our commitment to building a work environment where all employees are healthy in mind and body, and can fully unleash their capabilities.
