Gender Equality

Achieving gender equality remains a major global challenge. Despite decades of progress, women still earn on average 20% less than men, according to the ILO, leading to significant lifetime income inequality, and at the current pace, it will take 134 years to close the global gender gap. Yet evidence shows that gender diversity drives performance: companies with diverse leadership teams are 25% more likely to outperform peers, and those in the top quartile for gender-diverse leadership are 39% more likely to achieve above-average profits.

The UN Global Compact Network UK’s Gender programmes offer support for businesses to implement the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs). These provide a roadmap for companies to realise the benefits of prioritising gender equality. At the same time, the Gender Pay Gap Report Peer Review Programme aims to strengthen reporting under national and international standards.