Gender equality is integral to all dimensions of inclusive development, from human rights, peace and security, economic growth, education, and sustainability. There is strong evidence that when women are empowered everyone benefits. Statistics show that diverse leadership drives growth and higher annual returns.
The United Nations (UN) Global Compact worked with UN Women to develop the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs). A framework of seven principles to drive gender equality in the workplace, the marketplace, and the community. The Women’s Empowerment Principles serve as a roadmap to foster business practices that empower women, including equal pay, equal opportunity for career advancement, paid parental leave and zero-tolerance for sexual harassment in the workplace.
The seven Principles are aptly sub-titled “Equality Means Business.” These Principles further emphasize the business case for corporate action to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.
- Principle 1: Establish high-level corporate leadership for gender equality
- Principle 2: Treat all women and men fairly at work – respect and support human rights and nondiscrimination
- Principle 3: Ensure the health, safety and well-being of all women and men workers
- Principle 4: Promote education, training, and professional development for women
- Principle 5: Implement enterprise development, supply chain and marketing practices that empower women
- Principle 6: Promote equality through community initiatives and advocacy
- Principle 7: Measure and publicly report on progress to achieve gender equality
Support for the seven Principles has gathered global momentum – thousands of companies worldwide are now WEPs champions, and hence are actively contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
Berlinger has adopted the United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles (UN WEPs) as part of its commitment to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in contribution to the Sustainable Development Goal 5, namely Gender Equality. We are proud signatories of the United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles. At Berlinger, we welcome the provisions of these Principles and celebrate that 60% of the workforce is female, and that the company is woman-led, and woman-owned.
Within Berlinger, we are creatively using the Principles as guidance to progressively move from ambition to action on the sustainability front.
Empowerment is a birth right and gender does not impact in any way to enhance this birth right. Within Berlinger our support for advancing equality between men and women is a continuing strategic mission. The statement of our CEO sets the score for how we at Berlinger are driven by equality.
Every girl and boy, every woman and man around the world needs to feel safe and secure – physically, emotionally, and economically. As a father, husband, and CEO, I’m signing Berlinger’s Statement of Support as our commitment to further empower women around the world, both in our home country of Switzerland as well as around the globe. – Thomas Bechter, CEO Berlinger & Co. AG |
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The team at Berlinger reflects and celebrates diversity. At Berlinger, we are also committed to fostering sustainable development in the countries in which we operate. We believe that full participation of women in our 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 everyone in society.
About the WEPs
All businesses stand to benefit from gender equality and women’s empowerment. The WEPs platform offers the private sector a global network of like-minded companies and guidance on advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace, the marketplace and the community. Support for the seven Principles has gathered global momentum – thousands of companies worldwide are now WEPs champions – and therewith also contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals.
