THE GENDER EQUALITY SEAL PROGRAMME
THE GENDER EQUALITY SEAL IS A TOOL TO ADVANCE THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AGENDA AND FOSTER BUSINESS PERFORMANCE
The Gender Equality Seal for Private Sector is an innovative programme engaging the private sector in the achievement of excellency standards to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in the business world.
The GES is a tool for private enterprises to come together and contribute towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (in particular, SDGs 5, 8, 10 and 17) by reducing gender gaps and promoting gender equality and competitiveness, for a fair, inclusive and sustainable growth.
The programme has created a dynamic partnership between the private sector, public sector, trade unions and UNDP with a tool to develop public policy, foster constructive dialogue, invite companies to go from commitment to action and provide hard evidence of their efforts to tackle the most pressing gender inequalities.
THE CHALLENGE:
GENDER INEQUALITIES IN THE WORLD OF WORK
- At the current pace, it will take more than 150 years to close the economic gender gap.
- 46% of women participate in the workforce compared to 72% of men.
- For each dollar earned by men, women earn in average 80 cents.
- Less than 6% of CEOs in big companies is female.
- One in every three women globally have experienced physical or sexual violence.
- Women perform 75% of non-paid care work.
- More than half of women in the world have informal jobs, with low salaries and no social protection.
Sources: ILO (2017, 2020, 2021), WEF (2022), Catalyst (2022)
THE BUSINESS CASE FOR GENDER EQUALITY
- Closing the gender gap in economic participation by 25% by 2025 could increase the global GDP by U$5.3 trillion (World Economic Forum, 2017).
- Women control 65% of household spending, and their global consumer spending is estimated in U$40 trillion (Catalyst, 2015 and HBR, 2009).
- Diverse companies get on average 38% more profits for sales of new products and services (BCG – Technical University of Münich, 2017).
- Companies with more gender-balanced boards and stronger female leadership report higher returns on equity, sales and invested capital on average (MSCI, 2015 and Catalyst, 2011).
- Improves the work environment, decreases turnover and absenteeism and helps to retain the best talents.
DIMENSIONS ADDRESSED BY THE SEAL
The Gender Equality Seal for Private Sector rests upon gender equality impacts across eight dimensions or critical areas of companies’ operations. Thus, the business sector commits to transforming regulations, policies, procedures, operations and organizational culture.
1
Governance and strategy
Integrating gender equality in the organizational management.
2
Remuneration
Detecting and eliminating gender-based pay gaps.
3
Professional development
Increasing women’s role in decision-making at middle and upper management positions.
4
Work-life balance and care
Improving work-life balance embracing a shared social responsibility.
5
RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION
Integrating gender equality in the organizational management.
6
Gender-based violence, sexual and sex-based
Harassment prevention and management. Ensuring zero tolerance to sexual harassment and gender-based violence in the workplace.
7
Marketing and communication
Ensuring an inclusive and non-sexist communication is used internally and externally.
8
Supply chain management
Include a gender perspective across the supply chain and include women-owned businesses.
1
Governance and strategy
Integrating gender equality in the organizational management.
2
Remuneration
Detecting and eliminating gender-based pay gaps.
3
Professional development
Increasing women’s role in decision-making at middle and upper management positions.
4
Work-life balance and care
Improving work-life balance embracing a shared social responsibility.
5
Recruitment and selection
Integrating gender equality in the organizational management.
6
Gender-based violence, sexual and sex-based
Harassment prevention and management. Ensuring zero tolerance to sexual harassment and gender-based violence in the workplace.
7
Marketing and communication
Ensuring an inclusive and non-sexist communication is used internally and externally.
8
Supply chain management
Include a gender perspective across the supply chain and include women-owned businesses.
UNDP supports Nationally-owned Certification Programmes developed in partnership with governments, business sector and other institutional partners.
ADVANTAGES OF THE GENDER EQUALITY SEAL
The GES is an innovative tool that helps private companies to increase employee satisfaction, take advantage of all workers potential (regardless of sex) and having a more fair, inclusive, healthier and equal work environment. It also has a solid framework based on ILO conventions, international regulations on human’s rights and women’s rights, the Women’s Empowerment Principles and sustainable business practices.
The programme helps companies to align their business operations with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and provides instruments to have more sustainable practices and hard evidence to demonstrate results to employees, shareholders and other stakeholders in line with sustainable corporate practices. Thus, it fosters companies’ reputation and accountability.
10 STEPS TO EARNING A GENDER EQUALITY SEAL
1. Formulate the company’s written commitment to gender equality.
2. Establish a gender equality committee
3. Train senior management and staff on gender equality
4. Undertake an internal organizational assessment of the company’s policies and practices
5. Develop a company-wide policy and plan of action for gender equality
6. Implement the gender equality plan of action
7. Conduct an external audit or verification process and obtain the certification or the award
8. Achieve the Gender Equality Seal
9. Monitor ongoing progress and audit for quality assurance
10. Take actions to improve the program and maintain the Gender Seal