For the fifth consecutive year, Kaufland Romania is the Platinum Partner of the international expo-conference Meat.Milk, an event that will hold its thirteenth edition on May 27 and 28, 2024, at the Alpin Hotel in Poiana Brasov.

As a Platinum Partner, Kaufland Romania's presence will be marked by the communication it will support in the General Session on the morning of May 27, by Mr. Valer Hancaș - Corporate Affairs and Marketing Manager.

Currently, alongside many other actions it supports, Kaufland Romania is involved in promoting women in society. Here's what the company conveys regarding this:

"Romania could gain 24 billion euros annually by employing 3% more women by 2030.

Women currently represent 49% of Romania's total labor market, according to the Ministry of Labor and Social Solidarity. A McKinsey analysis shows that if this percentage were to reach 52%, Romania could add approximately 8.7% to its GDP each year, which is about 24 billion euros. In this context,

Kaufland Romania is reinforcing its commitment to gender equality and aims to increase the number of employees in vulnerable situations or with disabilities, as well as in leadership positions. One of the largest retailers is joining the social movement #WeAreHalf, launched by the Solidarity and Equality Association. Its objective is to increase awareness of gender inequality in Romania by 25% over the next two years through information and education campaigns.

"If we look at the numbers, the gap between the number of women in society versus their involvement in the economy is evident. In Romania, the majority of the population is female (over 51%), but the situation reverses when we look at the employment rate, where men are in the majority. Fortunately, at Kaufland Romania, the data aligns with the population percentages because over 73% of the total employees are women, and over 50% of leadership positions are also held by women.

Having a significant role in Romania's economic landscape, we believe our responsibility extends beyond the company's limits, which is why we have become involved in raising awareness about gender equality. This is one of the reasons we joined the #WeAreHalf initiative.

Personally, as a woman, I feel the need to support such causes, which make Romanian society a more prosperous and equitable place for all its citizens, regardless of gender," said Estera Anghelescu, Recruiting & Employer Branding Director, Kaufland Romania.

Romania ranks second to last in the European Union regarding gender equality, according to 2022 data from the European Institute for Gender Equality, transmitted by the World Bank Romania. Even in this context, we have a real opportunity for change in society. The Solidarity and Equality Association started a campaign a year ago to inform, educate, and support women. A McKinsey analysis from September 2021 shows that if the percentage of employed women were to reach 52%, Romania could add approximately 8.7% to its GDP each year, which is about 24 billion euros.

This can be achieved by increasing the number of active women in the labor market by 3%, remunerating overtime hours worked, and employing them in sectors with high productivity.

"#WeAreHalf is not just a challenge for women. Gender equality, or rather the lack of it, affects the entire community. The active participation of women in the economy would not only strengthen societal cohesion but also significantly reduce phenomena of violence.

We voiced this movement in March 2023, and this year, with the help of Kaufland Romania, we want to spread our message to as many cities in the country as possible, highlighting women with potential. Additionally, we aim to provide them with an extensive platform through which they can actively participate in changing stereotypes and promoting equal opportunities," emphasized Mihaela Raluca Tudor, the founder of the Solidarity and Equality Association.

Through this extended collaboration, the campaign highlights the impressive stories of women who have achieved notable accomplishments in their communities and encourages them to become role models for society as a whole. Kaufland has already started an internal nomination system for women in the company.

The first three stories enrolled in the #WeAreHalf campaign speak about the dedication to identifying and implementing inclusive policies in a company with thousands of employees and 177 stores, strengthening work teams by integrating every member, regardless of professional experience, and especially beyond disabilities.

Estera Anghelescu is the Recruitment and Employer Branding Director at Kaufland Romania and Moldova, with over 20 years of experience. She has played a key role in the company's expansion since the opening of the first stores. Due to the innovative projects she has implemented, she has won numerous awards. In 2022, she was awarded the titles of Global Employer Brand Leader of the Year by Kantar and Employer Branding Professional of the Year by Evensys.

Since May 2023, she has also held the position of Vice President of RDCC (Romanian Diversity Chamber of Commerce), committing to promoting diversity and inclusion, both within the company and in society.

She coordinates the A.C.C.E.S. program (Employment of Candidates with Special Requirements and Evolutions), dedicated to integrating people with disabilities into the Kaufland team. She holds an M.B.A. from the University of Gelsenkirchen and has attended Executive Education programs at institutions such as M.I.T., the University of North Carolina, and Stanford.

Oana Lungu is the Executive Director of Procurement at Kaufland Romania and Moldova and has been working for the company for over 18 years. She studied architecture at university, and her first contact with procurement was in a construction company, where she learned much more than a young graduate could hope for.

Professional experiences led her to retail, a field full of challenges to which she has always been extremely open, and where she has managed to achieve top performances alongside her team to this day. The principle Oana has successfully translated into procurement is that a sustainable construction always starts with a solid foundation.

In retail, the foundation is the team she works with every day, whether it's experienced colleagues or young professionals enthusiastically discovering this dynamic field.

Cezarina Ispas is a cashier at one of the Kaufland stores in Bucharest. She works at a special checkout designed for people with disabilities, specifically tailored for those using a wheelchair. This helps her carry out her professional activities safely and with the confidence that she is supported and valued.

"At Kaufland Tudor Vladimirescu, I am part of a beautiful team, and every time I go to work, I do it with joy. From the job interview, I met special people who supported and respected me. That's why I integrated very well, and here I feel like in a family. I am glad that, despite my disability, I have the chance to have a good job, and I encourage all those who want a job to join the Kaufland team," said Cezarina Ispas.

About #WeAreHalf

The social movement #WeAreHalf was launched in 2023 by the Solidarity and Equality Association and is a movement aimed at drawing attention to the gender inequality that persists in multiple forms in society.

Gender equality is not just a fundamental right; it is the very foundation so necessary for a solid and sustainable world. The movement's objective is to increase awareness of gender inequality in Romania by 25% over the next two years through information and education campaigns.

About Kaufland Romania

Kaufland is among the largest retail companies in Europe, with 1,500 stores in 8 countries, 155,000 employees, and a network of 177 stores in Romania. In 2023, Kaufland Romania received the Best Buy Award certification for the fifth time, attesting that it is the chain of stores with the best quality-price ratio in the local market.