More Than 250 Companies Take Action to Advance Women's Leadership and Equality
UN Global Compact’s Target Gender Equality programme is off to a strong start in 19 countries around the world
More than 250 companies take action to advance women’s leadership and equality
UNITED NATIONS, New York, September 22, 2020 /3BL Media/ — The United Nations Global Compact announced today the participation of more than 250 companies in Target Gender Equality, one of its flagship Global Impact Initiatives, signaling a significant commitment from companies to a key Sustainable Development Goal during the 75th United Nations General Assembly.
To support participating companies on their journey to advance gender equality, the UN Global Compact is partnering with Catalyst to develop capacity building workshops and guidance. In addition to supporting corporate target setting, the workshops will help companies navigate how to identify and tackle barriers to progress on gender equality in the workplace.
“While gender equality in the workplace has emerged as a top corporate sustainability issue, most companies have not sufficiently translated this commitment to action,” said Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact. “Target Gender Equality helps businesses fill this gap. The partnership with Catalyst is a key step forward to help our participants implement changes.”
“Catalyst is thrilled to partner with the UN Global Compact to help organizations work to advance gender equality within their organizations,” said Lorraine Hariton, President and CEO of Catalyst. “We’ve worked with organizations across industries around the globe for nearly 60 years, and we look forward to sharing Catalyst’s research and experience through these workshops.”
Lorraine Hariton will moderate Leave No Woman Behind, a panel discussion at Uniting Business LIVE, the UN Global Compact’s high-level convening on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly from September 21 to 23.
Target Gender Equality is run in collaboration with Global Compact Local Networks and with the support of Patron sponsors, PVH Corp. and Natura &Co. The programme builds on and supports the Women’s Empowerment Principles, launched in partnership with UN Women, by helping companies turn corporate commitment to gender equality into measurable outcomes. Data shows that less than 30% of companies have set time-bound, measurable goals for gender equality in the workplace. Target Gender Equality was launched in February and is currently running in 19 countries around the world.
About the UN Global Compact
As a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General, the United Nations Global Compact works
with companies everywhere to align their operations and strategies with ten universal principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. Launched in 2000, the UN Global Compact guides and supports the global business community in advancing UN goals and values through responsible corporate practices. With more than 10,000 companies and 3,000 non-business signatories based in over 160 countries, and 68 Local Networks, it is the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world. Visit https://www.unglobalcompact.org/ for further information. Join the conversation on social media using #TargetGenderEquality
Media Accreditation for Uniting Business LIVE:
Media coverage is welcome. For full programme and to register to attend please visit: https://registration.unglobalcompact.org/website/15648/media-centre/
Media inquiries and questions:
Please contact Alex Gee +447887 804594
media@unglobalcompact.org
