March 2011 Action Alert

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They are the result of a collaboration between the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM, part of UN Women) and the United Nations Global Compact. The development of the Principles included an international multi-stakeholder consultation process. Sub-titled Equality Means Business, the Principles emphasize the business case for corporate action to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment and are informed by real-life business practices and input gathered from across the globe.

Rather than being prescriptive or a new initiative to which business is asked to subscribe, the Women’s Empowerment Principles seek to point the way to best practice by elaborating the gender dimension of good corporate citizenship, the UN Global Compact (a strategic policy initiative for businesses committed to aligning their practices with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption), and business’ role in sustainable development. As well as being a useful guide for business, it is hoped that Principles will inform other stakeholders, including governments, in their engagement with business.

Principles in Brief Establish high-level corporate leadership for gender equality. Treat all women and men fairly at work – respect and support human rights and nondiscrimination. Ensure the health, safety and well-being of all women and men workers.

Promote education, training and professional development for women. Implement enterprise development, supply chain and marketing practices that empower women. Promote equality through community initiatives and advocacy.

Measure and publicly report on progress to achieve gender equality In an effort to bolster high-level corporate leadership for gender equality, top executives are invited to sign a CEO Statement of support for the Women’s Empowerment Principles. The following U.S. and/or Canadian Corporations have already signed on to the document: Avon Products, Calvert Group, Carlson, CB Richard Ellis, Dean’s Beans, Deloitte Touche Thomatsu, Dow Chemical, Ernst and Young, Levi Strauss and Co., Merck, Microsoft Corporation, Mountain Equipment Co-Op, Pax World Management LLC, Pepsi Co., and Symantec Corporation.

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If corporations with whom you do business have not signed on to the Women’s Empowerment Principles, consider sending the following message: To Whom It May Concern: Equality in the workplace is not just the right thing – it is also good for business. The full participation of women in enterprises and in the larger community makes sound business sense now and in the future.

A broad concept of sustainability and corporate responsibility that embraces women’s empowerment as a key goal will benefit us all. The Women’s Empowerment Principles will help us realize these opportunities. Therefore, I urge you to sign on to the Women’s Empowerment Principles. Thank you.

For more information go to: www.unifem.org/attachments/stories/Women’sEmpowermentPrinciples.pdf or: www.globalcompact.org/Issues/human _ rights/equality_means_business.html

P.S. A few readers have asked which books & media we actually reach for — it's Ignatius Press Catholic Books; take a look here if you want the current details.