Target Gender Equality (TGE) is a high-impact 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, TGE supports companies engaged with the UN Global Compact to turn their gender equality commitments into concrete actions, aligned with best practices and international standards, such as the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs).
Companies participating in Target Gender Equality have the opportunity to build a holistic, sustainable approach to gender equality across their workplace, supply chains, and communities. Whether you’re just beginning your gender equality journey or aiming to scale your efforts, TGE offers the resources and support to help your company thrive as a leader in gender equality.
Programme benefits:
- Understand their current gender equality performance through the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Gender Gap Analysis Tool, to align the company to best practices and international standards.
- Develop an action plan covering KPIs, policies, and interventions, shaped by peer feedback and expert guidance.
- Engage with experts in discussions and workshops on key topics, including male allyship, the gender pay gap, family-friendly policies, and addressing backlash against gender equality and human rights.
- Build a network of industry peers, UN partners, and global gender equality experts to support your long-term strategy.
Contact Fernanda Cervantes, Project Manager - Social Sustainability for further details.
INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING?
The UN Global Compact Network UK is delighted to announce our participation in Target Gender Equality.
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
COST OF JOINING
- £1250+VAT for UK Network members. (some network members may be eligible for a discount).
TIMELINE
- Company registration: March to May 2025
- Programme begins: July 2025
- Programme ends: March 2026
Target Gender Equality UK Previous Participants
We are delighted to have worked with the following UN Global Compact Network UK members in previous editions of the programme.
You can access the recording of our Introduction to Target Gender Equality presentation here.
Tools/Resources
Women’s Empowerment Principles
The Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) are a set of Principles established by the UN Global Compact and UN Women, offering guidance to business on how to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace, marketplace and community. Sign the WEPs now and demonstrate your company’s commitment to gender equality.
WEPs Tool
Take the Women’s Empowerment Principles Gender Gap Analysis Tool (WEPs Tool) today to assess your company's strategic approach to gender equality and identify gaps and opportunities for continuous improvement.
Gender Equality: How Business Can Accelerate the Pace of Change
Access the new (and free) UN Global Compact Academy E-learning Course on Gender Equality to learn why gender equality and women’s empowerment is a prerequisite to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, how your company can contribute to the achievement of SDG 5, learn about concrete steps that your business can take to mainstream gender equality into strategy and operations, and more.
Access the UN Global Compact Academy E-Learning Course on How To Be A Male Ally for Gender Equality to learn the critical role men play in fighting gender bias and discrimination and how you can be a male ally towards gender equality for all.
Access the SDG Ambition Benchmarks on Gender Balance at all Levels of Management and Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value. The UN Global Compact, in consultation with business leaders and partner organisations, has developed 12 SDG Ambition Benchmarks, to simplify the task and translate ambition into action. The benchmarks include clear pathways and sample actions for companies to take.
Access the new UN Global Compact Academy E-Learning Course on Business Strategies to Drive Allyship: The Role of Male Allies to learn how to foster male allyship for gender equality throughout organisations.
Access the Action Guide on Moving Gender Equality Forward Faster. No matter where you are on your gender equality journey, we can help. Our action guide will show you how you can make the biggest, fastest impact for 2030.
Join the new Gender Peer Gap Analysis Peer Review to have a safe forum of businesses to receive feedback, exchange best practice, and improve gender-related risk management, transparency, and compliance.
Stay Informed
Target Gender Equality Action Dialogue
In this high-level policy dialogue at UK Network’s Business and Human Rights Summit, Target Gender Equality UK participants looked back at the first edition of the programme in the UK, discussed forward-looking steps and ambitious corporate targets that they are setting to advance women’s representation and leadership in business, and fostered discussions and partnerships on gender equality with relevant stakeholders and expert guest speakers. You can access the recording of this event here.
Target Gender Equality, Target Ethnic Diversity
To commemorate the International Women’s Day and the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the UK Network organised ‘Target Gender Equality, Target Ethnic Diversity’, a special panel discussion on intersectionality in business, during TARGET GENDER EQUALITY LIVE. You can watch the recording of this session here.
Interview: People, Markets, Society | Q&A with Ann Cairns, Global Chair, 30% Club
On 18th November 2020, the UK Network hosted a special Q&A event with Ann Cairns, Global Chair and UK Lead at the 30% Club and Executive Vice Chair at Mastercard, organised exclusively for Target Gender Equality UK participants. This report summarises the main points of discussion from the event. Click here to access the report.
Top 3 Tips for Women in Business (From Women in Business)
As part of the Target Gender Equality Lounge at Uniting Business LIVE in 2020, the UK Network organised a live session with guest speakers Kerry Phillip (Legal Director, Vodafone Business) and Kate Rowlinson (CEO, MediaCom). This event focussed on the best advice for women in business from successful businesswomen from Target Gender Equality-participating companies. You can watch the recording here.
Global Gender Gap Report 2024
The Global Gender Gap Index benchmarks 146 countries, providing a tool for cross-country comparison and to prioritise the most effective policies needed to close gender gaps. In 2024, the global gender gap has been closed by 68.5%. At the current rate of progress, it will take 134 years to reach full parity. Access the full report here.
