Gender Equality Today
While there is a strong correlation between a country’s competitiveness and its level of gender equality, studies show that there is still a 40% gap between men and women in terms of economic participation and opportunity and an 83% gap in terms of political empowerment (source: Global Gender Gap Report 2009 – World Economic Forum).
Our Mission and Values
The Gender Equality Project is a Swiss Foundation, committed to creating a world where men and women are equally valued and respected in all aspects of economic, political and social life.
The Foundation’s core belief is that a society can only be prosperous and sustainable if women and men are granted equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities.
A Global Label
in Gender Equality
The Gender Equality Project is developing a comprehensive assessment methodology that enables global companies to measure success in achieving gender equality.
This assessment methodology will serve as the basis for a global certification system that recognizes companies that have been successful in implementing specific policies and practices and reaching positive outcomes in fostering equal opportunities for men and women.
Gender Equality Today
While there is a strong correlation between a country’s competitiveness and its level of gender equality, studies show that there is still a 40% gap between men and women in terms of economic participation and opportunity and an 83% gap in terms of political empowerment (source: Global Gender Gap Report 2009 – World Economic Forum).
A complex set of factors underlies these outcomes. Among them is the perception of ‘gender roles’, which are the activities, tasks and responsibilities traditionally assigned to men and women. These roles are learned within a given community or social group and are affected by the underlying social, geographic, economic and political contexts. These perceptions and behaviors, however, can change over time.
The Business Case for Gender Equality
Companies that proactively manage gender diversity and have a long-term commitment to it can reap crucial competitive benefits by turning gender diversity into a business success. Under the right conditions, providing equal opportunities to women and men can enable companies to
- benefit from the widest possible pool of talent,
- build and consolidate a good reputation in the marketplace, and
- improve their competitiveness and financial performance.
Our Mission and Values
The Gender Equality Project is a Swiss Foundation, committed to creating a world where men and women are equally valued and respected in all aspects of economic, political and social life.
The Foundation’s core belief is that a society can only be prosperous and sustainable if women and men are granted equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities.
To close the gap in opportunities between women and men in the workplace, the Foundation engages corporations across the world in fostering equal opportunities, through a global label in gender equality.
The Gender Equality Project works in partnership with the World Economic Forum.
A Global Label in Gender Equality
The Gender Equality Project is developing a comprehensive assessment methodology that enables global companies to measure success in achieving gender equality.
This assessment methodology will serve as the basis for a global certification system that recognizes companies that have been successful in implementing specific policies and practices and reaching positive outcomes in fostering equal opportunities for men and women. This certification system will be launched in January 2011.
By applying the assessment methodology, companies put in place an effective framework to assess current outcomes and identify their strengths and weaknesses in the area of gender equality. The methodology focuses not only on outcomes, but also on the policies and practices that foster sustainable gender equality within a company in each of the following five areas:
- Equal pay for equivalent work
- Recruitment and promotion
- Training and mentoring
- Work-life balance
- Company culture
2010
In preparation for the launch of the label, the foundation will work with 10 multinational companies from different regions and industries that have reached successful outcomes in terms of gender equality and are committed to being the first to apply the assessment methodology. Throughout 2010, together with these 10 companies, the Gender Equality Project will refine the methodology and make sure it reflects the practices that have proven successful to date in the corporate world. Furthermore, this phase will provide an initial understanding of potential variations in outcomes and practices across regions and industries.
Scientific and Academic Council
In developing the assessment methodology, The Gender Equality Project benefits from the advice of a Scientific and Academic Council, regrouping world class experts in gender equality:
- Celia de Anca, Director, Centre for Diversity in Global Management, IE Business School, Spain
- Iris Bohnet, Professor of Public Policy & Director, Women and Public Policy Program, Harvard Kennedy School, USA
- Alice Eagly, Professor of Psychology and James Padilla Chair of Arts and Sciences, Northwestern University, USA
- Patricia Gabaldón, Research Director, IE Business School, Spain
- Herminia Ibarra, CORA Chaired Professor of Leadership and Learning, Professor of Organizational Behavior, INSEAD, France
- Johannes Jutting, Head of Poverty Reduction & Social Development Unit, OECD Documentation Centre, France
- Judith Resnik, Arthur Liman Professor of Law, Yale Law School, USA
- Sabine Sczesny, Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Bern, Switzerland
- Saadia Zahidi, Director, Head of Constituents, World Economic Forum, Switzerland