How can the industry create equality in opportunities?

There are only 18 hours left on a poll that dares to ask the question about gender equality of opportunity in the fresh produce industry.

Here is how I put it to the LinkedIn Fresh Produce Discussion Group:

What more needs to be done to create gender equality in opportunity in the fresh produce business, both in the U.S. and around the world?

Through March 16, there were 44 votes casts, with the multiple choice answers put down this way:

Nothing: it is happening now : 25%
Promote opportunities to women: 59%
More regulation: 5%
Other (describe): 11%

Here are thoughts from a couple of comments on the question:

• Skills and talent does not have a gender. It is only a perception of individuals that feel more comfortable addressing some subjects.
• Judging physical appearance when interviewing a candidate is prejudice. Review and emphasize this topic to hiring managers as some seem to not understand this concept.
• It is always a good practice to promote cases of success in an accessible language for the youth, to positively impact the new generations to come..

With nearly six out of ten polled saying that we need to promote more industry opportunities to women, how can it be done? Internships, trade show attendance, career days at university, perhaps? Yes, and more.

Whenever we see that aim accomplished effectively, the rest of the industry should go and do the same.