Businesses, Governments and Civil Society Join Forces to Promote Women’s Economic Empowerment

(Geneva, 16 January 2017) – Over 150 business leaders, civil society representatives, government officials and UN agencies gathered today in Geneva to underscore the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration to bring down legal barriers to women’s economic empowerment. Convened by the UN Global Compact, UN Women, the International Trade Centre, the East-West Center and International Gender Champions Geneva, the high-level event drew attention to obstacles to women’s participation in the workplace, marketplace and community, and explored the economic and business imperative to address these challenges.

The event—Bringing Down Legal Barriers to Women’s Economic Empowerment: An Economic and Business Imperative—highlighted conclusions from a recent report by the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment. Findings were also shared from a recent World Bank report, which revealed that almost 90 per cent of the 173 countries researched have at least one gender-differentiated law that impedes women’s economic empowerment.

Lise Kingo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact, reflected on the contribution businesses can make to combating gender discrimination. In her opening remarks, she called on attendees to work together to ensure that laws are inclusive and beneficial to everyone.

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women, called attention to the need for strong and purpose-driven partnerships alongside business engagement with government to accelerate the pace of change. She also stressed the utility of the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs), a joint initiative of UN Women and the UN Global Compact, as a tool to facilitate those partnerships.

The event featured talks from business leaders who demonstrated their commitment to the UN Global Compact and the WEPs, emphasizing how good governance can create an enabling environment for sustainable and inclusive business to flourish. Property rights and human trafficking were among the other issues highlighted in the context of gender equality, strengthening the rule of law and promoting sustainable development.

Pamela K. Hamamoto, US Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, concluded the session with a call to action, urging participants to take bold steps to empower women economically around the world.

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• View the event programme and featured attendees
• Endorse the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs)
• Use the Business for Rule of Law Framework
• Explore our Business for Inclusion Action Platform