Bacardi, the drinks giant based in Bermuda, has been recognised by Forbes as one of the world’s top female-friendly companies.

The prominent list and results are based on an independent survey of approximately 85,000 women working at multinational institutions in 36 countries.

Women in Leadership is among the key pillars of the company’s Belonging programme, which strives to create a space where everyone is treated fairly and provided equal opportunities.

Belonging at Bacardi is a global movement focused on creating programming, development opportunities and more in support of under represented groups in the spirits world.

Intending to unleash the potential of current and future women leaders at family-owned Bacardi, the company said, it offers several programmes to support personal and professional development.

A global mentorship programme links women to leaders and allies across markets and functions. In just six years, participation in the mentorship programme has increased tenfold and expanded from a single market to having participants in more than 32 countries.

Internal and external programming connects Bacardi to its local communities and guest speakers who share their personal growth stories and tips for managing a more balanced life. Throughout the years, the company said it has produced several events and development programmes crafted for women in the hospitality and spirits industry.

“We are incredibly proud for Bacardi to be recognised by Forbes as a great workplace for female talent and to continue support of women within the company and our industry,” says Leila Stansfield, global belonging lead and head of global travel retail for Bacardi.

“We recognise that creating a sense of Belonging for all inspires an inclusive and diverse culture, creating a strong foundation for ongoing innovation, impactful business and effective organisations.”

In the global annual engagement survey, women and men rated dimensions of workplace satisfaction, wellness, DEI, and other core topics, similarly, demonstrating best-in-class engagement levels across both genders at Bacardi.

“This is a milestone in our Belonging journey at Bacardi — one which continues as we always strive to do more and we look forward to expanding our work in support of women,” says Scott Northcutt, SVP global human resources and executive sponsor for Belonging for Bacardi.

“We aim to create a workplace where everyone feels appreciated for who they are, what they do, and who they can become.”

Last year, Bacardi made the Forbes World’s Best Employers list and has been a certified Great Place to Work in more than 50 sites.

In partnership with Statista, Forbes set out to identify the 400 companies excelling in championing women at work. The honourees offer competitive pay, substantial career advancement opportunities and flexible work arrangements that experts agree are important in correcting gender inequities.