#17YearsWithForest: A Legacy of Gender Balance and Inclusive Workforce

Forest Interactive, an industry trailblazer celebrating its 17th anniversary, is making bold strides in fostering an inclusive work culture and promoting diversity in the tech industry. With visionary leadership and unwavering commitment, Forest Interactive is driving change, connecting communities, and championing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at all levels.

Igniting a Vision of Inclusion

Since 2020, Forest Interactive has actively supported efforts to end harassment, starting with its pledge of support for the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act in the Malaysian Parliament two years later. Since then, Forest Interactive has taken steps to implement a zero-tolerance stance on sexual harassment, clearly outlining guidelines and complaint procedures.

#ItEndsNow Campaign: Last year, Forest Interactive launched an internal #ItEndsNow campaign, to gauge employees' knowledge. Weekly email newsletters raising awareness of various types of workplace harassment, employees' rights, grievance mechanisms, and resources for conflict resolution were also disseminated to educate and empower, as part of this campaign. Forest Interactive's #ItEndsNow campaign is more than just a statement; it is a battle cry against harassment and discrimination in the workplace.

Anti-Harassment Policies: Forest Interactive's robust anti-harassment policies embody its unwavering commitment to protect and uplift every individual within its workforce. The zero-tolerance policy ensures that harassment has no place within the organization, fostering a culture of respect and inclusion.

Whistleblowing Policy: The whistleblowing policy is an embodiment of transparency and accountability. By empowering employees to report misconduct, the company ensures that no injustice goes unnoticed. The policy is already in progress through the cooperation with Corporate PR and People Operations.

Uniting a Diverse Workforce through Exemplary Leadership

All-Female Morocco Team: Forest Interactive showcases an all-female team in Morocco. This bold move challenges stereotypes and empowers women, creating a workforce that thrives on diversity and breaks barriers.

Female Representation in Upper Management: With 80% of its upper management positions occupied by women, Forest Interactive demonstrates its dedication to empowering talented individuals, irrespective of gender.

Diverse Work Culture: There are more than 20 different nationalities within the company, bringing in their valued unique perspective. This visionary culture fuels creativity, innovation, and collaboration among employees.

Accolades on Gender Equality: Forest Interactive is awarded second runner-up for the Community Engagement & Partnerships category at UN Women 2021 Malaysia Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Awards in 2021. Additionally, the company was shortlisted as a finalist for the Gender-Inclusive Workplace category. The following year, the UN Women Malaysia Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Awards recognized Forest Interactive CEO Johary Mustapha, with Malaysia’s Leadership Commitment Award. Our CEO, Johary Mustapha was the only CEO representing Southeast Asia in the United Nation’s CEO Roundtable held in New York to report our gender equity efforts at the workplace.

Career Development: Forest Interactive commits to nurturing the talents and aspirations of its workforce. Through training programs like LinkedIn Learning, mentorship opportunities in skills like project management and software development, and leadership development initiatives, the company empowers employees to reach their full potential. We fully utilize our meaningful partnerships such as with LeadWomen, as they conducted an experiential learning journey for our talents, mostly HODs, and team leaders to foster a culture of gender inclusion within their own teams and the whole business ecosystem.

Networking Events Open to All Talents: Talents have access to networking opportunities such as MWC Barcelona and Telemedia, skill-building workshops, and support systems to foster the growth and success of both women and men within the organization.

Knowledge Sharing Sessions: Departments initiate specific knowledge sharing sessions like the Creatives' mentor-mentee program and Corporate PR's "Could Would Should," where the company encourages continuous learning and professional growth.

A Visionary Network for Lasting Impact

Committed to Women's Aid Organisation (WAO) WePledge: Forest Interactive's commitment to the Women's Aid Organisation (WAO) WePledge demonstrates its visionary engagement in addressing gender-based violence and promoting gender equality. By standing alongside WAO, the company strengthens its resolve to drive change beyond its own walls.

Corporate Community Engagement: By actively engaging with organizations such as LeadWomen's first Corporate Community. By actively engaging with other organizations, the company fosters collaboration, shares best practices, and contributes to building a more inclusive business ecosystem.

United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) Membership: Forest Interactive exemplifies its commitment through its membership in the United Nations Global Compact. By aligning its operations with UNGC's sustainability principles and have our women leaders speak on their events, the company demonstrates its commitment to responsible business practices and driving positive social and environmental impact.

UNGC Roundtable Conference for CEOs: Our CEO being nominated for the UNGC Roundtable Conference for CEOs amplifies Forest Interactive's voice in shaping sustainable and inclusive business practices on a global stage.

Dialogue Includes All for the Visually Impaired: Forest Interactive extends to inclusivity for all, including the visually impaired. Through the "Dialogue Includes All" program, the company creates opportunities for equal participation and access, breaking barriers and fostering a more inclusive society.

Hosting Internal Events for Female Talents: Forest Interactive hosts internal events that empower and celebrate its female talents. These events provide a supportive platform for networking, sharing experiences, and nurturing professional growth.

Conducting Events that are Vehicles for Inclusivity: Forest Interactive's visionary engagement is evident in the events it conducts, serving as vehicles for inclusivity. These events foster understanding, celebrate diversity, and create opportunities for dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders. One of our notable engagements are with Speak Up Malaysia who came to educate us on workplace harassment and discrimination, and to raise awareness on how to identify and respond to such behaviours.

As Forest Interactive celebrates its 17th anniversary, it ignites a vision of inclusion, connects communities through visionary leadership, and engages stakeholders for lasting impact. Through these 17 visionary initiatives, the company continues to inspire the tech industry and beyond, driving a future where diversity, equity, and inclusion are embraced by all.

Founded in 2006, Forest Interactive develops scalable mobile platforms to connect mobile operators with their subscribers. With over 17 years of industry experience, Forest Interactive has expanded to include a diverse workforce of 20+ nationalities in 14 regional offices. Delivering content subscription services, service delivery platforms, digital vouchers, e-commerce platforms, and mobile apps for all ages, Forest Interactive operates in more than 25+ countries, servicing 90+ mobile operators and 100+ content partners with the capacity to reach over one billion subscribers worldwide. Visit forest-interactive.com to learn more.

Arvee Gomez Media Relations Executive arvee.gomez@forest-interactive.com