Achieving gender equality in companies is an important factor in creating an atmosphere of care for the team and, accordingly, increasing its productivity. The Women's Empowerment in Business initiative was launched in Ukraine to promote WEPs as an effective tool for achieving gender equality and expanding women's economic opportunities in the market and in society.

The total number of signatories to the Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs) in Ukraine is 30 companies (https://www.weps.org ). One of them is Aurora Multimarket. 

"By signing the Women's Empowerment Principles, the company is taking another important step in ensuring gender balance and contributing to the global movement to empower women in the workplace,"  shared Marina Melnychuk, Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility at Aurora Multimarket.

Aurora not only develops business, but also participates in charity projects and joins charitable initiatives: raises funds for drones for the Offensive Guard brigades and the children's burn center of the First Medical Association of Lviv. The chain has already donated about UAH 70 million to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and continues to open or revitalize stores in the de-occupied territories, where sales are twice as high as in stores in other cities of Ukraine because Aurora offers essential goods at low prices.

The company also took part in raising funds for the production of 1000 sets of warm women's uniforms, 10% of the sales of all New Year's goods in 2023, which is 6 million hryvnias, was donated to the NGO "Zemlyachki". And they didn't stop — the same year they launched the campaign again. Aurora also supports a women's shelter operated by the Light of Hope in Poltava. Moreover, the chain has joined the sale of "non-existent goods" to help victims of conflict-related sexual violence in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund in Ukraine (UNFPA).

Aurora has launched an informal platform "Equality Hub" as part of its social responsibility program aimed at actively implementing the principles of equal opportunities for women and men. The retailer supports initiatives, creates its own projects and embodies European values in its daily work. Aurora encourages women who are internally displaced, women with children, women veterans, as well as women with an active life position to join and become part of their team.

The company has a confidential hotline for reporting violations of gender equality principles. An information campaign was conducted for employees to overcome stereotypes of "unwomanly work", where they shared the experience of women drivers of forklifts, supervisors and shift managers in the warehouse, as well as logistics directors.

The company not only supplies essential goods, but also contributes to the development of the country's economy. Keeping prices at a minimum level and systematic promotions for relevant products is a contribution to the comfort of customers.

The retailer currently has 1100 outlets across Ukraine, and their plans are only aimed at expansion. The company has already entered the European market: the first stores have been opened in Romania. In 2024, it is planned to open more than 50 stores in the EU countries. Aurora is currently the leader in the dollar store segment in the Ukrainian market. In 2021, the company became part of the Emerging Europe Growth Fund III, which emphasizes investors' confidence in its success. This $200 million fund is managed by Horizon Capital- an investment company with assets of over $1.1 billion and more than 27 years of investment experience.

With the outbreak of full-scale war, the category of Aurora customers has expanded significantly, as the middle class with higher income has emerged. The chain gives preference to local producers and suppliers, who account for 70% of the sales value. Currently, Aurora has more than 400 suppliers in Ukraine, 200 of which have an average monthly sales amount in purchase prices of UAH 5 million. The multimarket chain continues to improve its work processes every day to become more convenient and profitable for customers. Aurora is constantly changing, as it strives to make its visitors happier by purchasing affordable items for home and soul.

Aurora also participated in the Training on the Implementation of the Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs), which provided an incentive for further development and expansion.  

This material was created within the framework of the Women's Business Empowerment Initiative, implemented as part of the project "Transformative Approaches for Achieving Gender Equality in Ukraine", implemented by UN Women with the financial support of the Government of Sweden in cooperation with the Office of the Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration.