Target Gender Equality
Setting and reaching ambitious corporate targets for women's representation and leadership across business at all levels.
The business case for women’s representation and leadership
Women's business leadership has been a talking point in the private sector for decades – yet progress remains slow. According to a recent ILO study, over 50% of corporate boards have low female representation and over 13% of boards are all-male. Women are also underrepresented in senior management roles, especially strategic management functions. For example, it is estimated that only 16% of senior P&L roles are held by women.
The implications of inaction on gender equality have a negative impact on economic growth and business success, not to mention the SDGs and our shared goals on matters such as climate change, decent work, and health, if the talents, skills, and innovation of women continue to be undervalued.
“Gender equality is not only the right thing to do, but it also makes business sense. As we push for progress, there will be people who push back, shy away or fail to see the value of our action to advance equality. But we must keep moving forward.” – Lise Kingo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact
Taking bold action to increase female representation and leadership in business is needed more than ever, and public support for gender equality from the business community is stronger than it has ever been: over 2300 business leaders have signed the CEO Statement of Support for the Women’s Empowerment Principles, and when asked, 85% of CEOs agree than “Women’s participation and leadership in business is a critical driver of company performance”.
Gender equality is also good for business:
- Gender diverse companies are 15% more likely to have financial returns above their respective national industry means;
- When boardrooms are gender-balanced, enterprises are 20% more likely to have improved business outcomes.
- The increase in gender diversity contributes to increased focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations, including reduced greenhouse emissions, and it may help unlock more than US$12 trillion in new market value linked to the SDGs;
- Businesses founded by women also deliver higher revenue – more than 2x as much per dollar invested – than those founded by men.
Programme overview
Target Gender Equality is a gender equality accelerator programme for participating companies of the UN Global Compact. Through facilitated performance analysis, capacity building workshops, peer-to-peer learning and multi-stakeholder dialogue at the country-level, Target Gender Equality will support companies engaged with the UN Global Compact in setting and reaching ambitious corporate targets for women’s representation and leadership, starting with the Board and Executive Management levels.
Companies participating in Target Gender Equality have the opportunity to deepen implementation of the Women’s Empowerment Principles and strengthen their contribution to SDG 5.5, which calls for equal women representation, participation and leadership in business globally. Companies will be equipped with the latest data and research supporting the business case for gender equality and gain insights from UN partners and experts on how to accelerate progress on gender equality.
A global programme ✓
Focused on local collaboration ✓
Accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ✓
Driving bold business action to increase women’s representation and leadership in business ✓
Programme benefits
Confidently set ambitious and realistic corporate targets for gender equality demonstrating commitment and action to your employees, investors and other stakeholders
Understand your current gender equality performance through the facilitated use of the Women’s Empowerment Principles Gender Gap Analysis Tool
Engage in accelerated learning opportunities specific to UK
Build a network of peers, UN partners and experts to support your gender equality strategy and work collectively to tackle persistent barriers to gender equality
Showcase women in your company who are driving business success, sustainability and contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Eligibility requirements
A business Participant or Signatory of the UN Global Compact
Currently engaged with the UN Global Compact Network UK or willing to join
Committed to strengthening corporate target setting and action to increase women’s representation and leadership in business
Willing to appoint two representatives to participate in programme activities and events and an executive-level “Ambassador” to follow programme developments, provide support and participate in high-level events
Costs of joining
Free for: UK Network members on the Participant Engagement Tier;
£350+VAT for: UK Network members on the Signatory Engagement Tier.
You can check your company's engagement tier here.
Objectives
By the end of 2022, the UN Global Compact aims to mobilise and support 1000 companies to set corporate targets and take ambitious action to increase women’s representation and leadership in business, at all levels and across all areas.
- Support ambitious corporate target setting through facilitated performance analysis and capacity building at country level;
- Promote the comprehensive business case for women’s full participation and leadership in business, including financial and non-financial performance;
- Support companies in creating more gender-inclusive businesses aligned with the Women’s Empowerment Principles;
- Connect business to UN partners and other experts that can further support business action to advance SDG 5.5;
- Foster policy and stakeholder dialogue at the country level to address barriers to women’s representation and leadership in business;
- Showcase and promote women’s business leadership driving corporate sustainability and progress on the SDGs;
- Demonstrate that gender equality is a key component of corporate sustainability and business’ contribution to the SDGs.
SDG 5.5:
Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life
Interested in participating?
The UN Global Compact Network UK is delighted to announce our participation in Target Gender Equality. Our programme will be running from April 2020 – March 2021 and will include several activities: performance analysis, capacity building workshops, peer-to-peer learning opportunities and multi-stakeholder dialogue at the country-level:
Tailored facilitation of the WEPs Gender Gap Analysis Tool, a free, user/friendly, and confidential online platform that helps companies to assess current policies and programmes, highlight areas for improvement, and identify opportunities to set future corporate goals and targets.
In-country and global exchange workshops with peers and experts to help companies set and meet ambitious targets, aligned with SDG 5.5. Different dimensions will be explored and workshops will be designed to recognise and respond to different country contexts.
Organisation of high-level dialogues with business, government, investors, and other stakeholders focused on identifying concrete actions and generating tangible commitments to remove external barriers and strengthen drivers for women’s business leadership.
Through a global campaign and targeted communications, the UN Global Compact will call for urgent business action to increase women’s representation and leadership in business. A range of communication channels will be leveraged, including web, social media, and the UN Global Compact’s monthly bulletin.
Registrations are now open on the UN Global Compact website.
Do you have any questions? Please see our Brochure and our Target Gender Equality FAQ.
For any further detail, please contact Caterina Agnoletti.