ACCELERATING GENDER PARITY:
A BIG CHALLENGE
Dr. Manju Kalra Prakash | Senior Consultant, Ministry of Women & Child Development, CRMK,
Cell : + 91 9811116846, E-mail : [email protected], [email protected]
T
he paradigm shift f rom women's
development to women's empowerment
ensures that the benefits of development
from different sectors do not bypass women. The
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of
United Nations of October 2015, aims at
transforming our world by achieving gender
equality and empowerment of women and girls
as one of its pillars. It has been hailed as a critical
driver of economic growth and a pre-condition
for alleviating poverty and the foundation for
ensuring every child to have a sustainable
future.
It is now also widely recognized by Governments
and businesses the world over as important in its
right as also essential for human progress and
business success.
More than 1000 business leaders representing
some of the largest companies from around the
world have committed and signed the women's
empowerment principles to promote gender
equality. Till 2016, these companies had
invested more than the US $ 350 millio n in
women's economic empowerment programs.
There are seven principles for businesses - on
how to empower women in the workplace,
marketplace, and community:
i. Establish high-level corporate leadership
for gender equality.
ii. Treat all women and men fairly at work –
respect and support human rights and
nondiscrimination.
iii. Ensure the health, safety, and well-being
of all women and men workers.
Economic Challenger// ISSN 0975-1351/ July-September 2017
iv. Pro m ote e d u c at i o n , t ra i n i n g a n d
professional development for women.
v. Implement enterprise development,
supply chain and marketing practices that
empower women.
vi. Promote equality through community
initiatives and advocacy.
vii. Measures taken and publicly report on
progress to achieve gender equality.
Much progress remains to be made. Women and
men are far from being equal in most societies.
Absence of women in leadership roles as also
gender pay gaps can be seen across levels in
many industries. Women also face legal and
cultural barriers in owning land, opening a bank
account and accessing products and services
that could improve their health and well-being
and that of their family.
A holistic and integrated approach is needed –
although many companies actively are
promoting women's economic empowerment,
the majority are still trying to figure out the most
efficient method to do so and are working
through isolated programs and investments
which have led to some incremental
improvements for women - as well as benefits to
business.
Gender parity has overall benefits for the
society, economic benefit, etc. The most difficult
thing is a decision to act.
Different studies over the last 3-4 years
undertaken by Credit Suisse, Catalyst, McKinsey
Global Institutes etc. have thrown up the
following data:
Accelerating Gender Parity
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