COVID-19 AND THE WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT PRINCIPLES

19 Jul 2020 12:44 PM | Jean Murray (Administrator)

Many of our BPW clubs have been working with the Women's Empowerment Principles.  The WEPs were developed by UN Women and the UN Global Compactin 2010 and strongly promoted by BPW International. The WEPs are a set of 7 principles offering guidance to business on how to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace, marketplace and community.

The WEPs are a private sector resource during this time of upheaval and uncertainty. Businesses have both a stake in and a responsibility for gender equality and women’s empowerment. The COVID-19 pandemic is not just a health issue; it is a profound shock to our societies and economies.  Women are at the heart of care and response efforts – as front-line responders, health professionals, community volunteers, scientists and childcare and aged care professionals.

In addition to complying with local and national COVID-related policies and mandates, including through the WEPs framework, companies should consider the 3 cross-cutting priorities laid out by the UN:

1. Ensure women’s equal representation in all COVID-19 response planning and decision-making

2. Drive transformative change for equality by addressing issues of paid and unpaid care

3. Target women and girls in all efforts to address the socio-economic impact of COVID-19.

They aim to ensure that no-one is left behind during or after the COVID-19 crisis.

Comments

  • 02 Aug 2020 12:57 PM | Sandra Cook
    Great reminder Jean - so many women in these sectors.
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