What will the judges be looking for?
The judges will be looking for examples of where an organisation has had an unusually positive influence or impact in progressing their gender diversity plans. The review period is 1st April 2022 – 31st March 2023. The positive impact could be reflected in progress on gender targets or on improvements in the workplace culture, which could take many forms: for example, a change in behaviour; increased ambition or motivation in colleagues; achievement of potential; or the courage to call out wrong-doing. This will be judged on not only the data demonstrating improvement, but also on how the targets are being achieved. The judges will expect to see evidence of how the organisation has acted to champion gender balance in their organisation.
Please note
In order to be nominated for this award, the organisation must be a Charter Signatory and have committed to:
- Nominating a member of the Senior Executive Committee to be accountable for gender diversity and inclusion
- Setting internal targets, where appropriate, for gender diversity in senior management
- Publishing progress annually against any targets in reports on our Charter website
- Having an intention to ensure the pay or the objectives of the senior executive team are linked to delivery of any internal targets on gender inclusion and diversity
These are the minimum criteria that a nominating organisation is expected to meet.
Who can be entered?
Open to Charter Signatories only.
How do I nominate?
Nominating your organisation is simple, just go here, but we advise that you read this first! To nominate, follow these easy steps:
- Provide the contact details of the organisation you are nominating, please note the need to confirm that you have their agreement to participate.
- Complete the three citation sections of the nomination form. Please note that the questions relate to your organisation as a whole, or your organisation's Charter signatory division as applicable
- Provide your own contact details.
The citation part of the nomination form is broken down into three elements:
- Progress against your Women in Defence Charter commitments
- Your gender balance status. The majority of these questions relate to 31st March 2023 with one comparable question for 31st March 2022.
- Charter action – the action your company has taken to improve your gender balance and how you are monitoring your progress.
The Award closes for nominations on 21 September 2023, with finalists to be announced on 12 October 2023.
Please note
Your nomination should go through your point of contact for the Charter to ensure only one nomination is submitted per organisation.
Hints and tips
Our judges may not be familiar your specific business environment or culture, so providing context to the citation and tangible evidence of the outcome or effect that this had on others, will strengthen the nomination hugely.
There are overall word limits stated in the form, even if the form allows you to enter more, the citation sent for judging will be shortened if it exceeds these limits, which could mean that it ends mid-sentence.