SDG 5: Gender Equality
Ending all discrimination against women and girls is not only a basic human right, it’s crucial for sustainable future; it’s proven that empowering women and girls helps economic growth and development.
UNDP has made gender equality central to its work and we’ve seen remarkable progress in the past 20 years. There are more girls in school now compared to 15 years ago, and most regions have reached gender parity in primary education.
But although there are more women than ever in the labour market, there are still large inequalities in some regions, with women systematically denied the same work rights as men. Sexual violence and exploitation, the unequal division of unpaid care and domestic work, and discrimination in public office all remain huge barriers. Climate change and disasters continue to have a disproportionate effect on women and children, as do conflict and migration.
It is vital to give women equal rights land and property, sexual and reproductive health, and to technology and the internet. Today there are more women in public office than ever before, but encouraging more women leaders will help achieve greater gender equality. (UNDP, 2015)
Companies that are achieving this are:
Unilever Pte Ltd (NYSE:UL)
Industry: Food & Staples Retailing, Beverages, Food Products, Household Products, Personal Products
Headquartered in: UK
Unilever successfully achieved its target of building a gender-balanced organisation, reaching 50:50 management in 2019, up from 38% of women in management in 2010. Unilever also launced the "Unstereotype Initiative" in 2016 to eradicate harmful stereotypes from its advertising and advance more progressive portrayals of people.
BAYER (FWB:BAYN, OTC:BAYRY)
In 2020, Bayer reached nearly 40 million women in developing countries and emerging markets through sales on contraceptives. They aim to enable 100 million women in LMICs to gain access to modern contraception by 2030. With this goal in mind, they will expand their offering of long-acting products.
Industry: Agricultural Products, Personal Products, Pharmaceuticals
Headquartered in: Germany
Swiss Reinsurance Company
(SIX:SREN)
As the world's biggest reinsurance company, a committment to sustainability and building global resilience is a core part of Swiss Re's strategy to stay competitive by managing risks related to ESG issues.
Swiss Re aims to provide low-income women with with affordable microinsurance solutions that protect them against the loss of income in the case of illness and childbirth. In 2020, 296 000 customers and their families benefitted from this scheme. Swiss Re aims to reach 2 million beneficiaries by 2030.
Industry: Insurance
Headquartered in: Switzerland
Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT)
Women in STEM Network: Elevates women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields to seize career opportunities though professional development sessions for technical growth and continued learning as well as access to Abbott leaders, including technical leaders. Emphasis on peer networking, talent recruitment and recognition and participation in key industry events.
Women Leaders of Abbott: Help women leaders maximize their potential and realize great achievement throughout their careers at Abbott by connecting women and all who inspire growth in women leaders, offering dynamic programs and initiatives to enhance leadership experiences and career development, and personalizing central themes to support the interests of global membership.
Industry: Medical devices
Headquartered in: US
Accenture (NYSE:ACN)
1Accenture has achieved their goal of 25% women managing directors by the end of 2020 and set a new goal of 30% by 2025. 2. They have a goal to achieve a genderbalanced workforce (for those whose gender is binary) by 2025. 3. In 2020, women accounted for 45% of their global workforce, 49% of their new hires and 30% of their executives (manager and above). 4. They have an Insight Program that brings together mid-career women with senior leadership potential for a hands-on, nine-month career development program focused on defining their personal career path and purpose, and an Accenture Women's Network that has over 150 chapters globally.
This network serves as a resource for women to network, learn and grow. 5. To empower women entrepreneurs in rural India, they developed the WeAcT program in collaboration with the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India. Through the program’s online platform, female entrepreneurs can access market information and financial guidance, connect with peers and attend appropriate training to transform their business. Launched in March 2020, the program has worked with five partner organizations to support 2,800 enrollments across 11 states and one union territory