August 01, 2019
The London Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce they are the first Chamber of Commerce in Canada to have signed on to the “CEO Statement of Support for the Women’s Empowerment Principles”.
“As part of the Chamber’s ongoing efforts to recognize diversity in the workforce and through the volunteer contributions of its Board of Directors, Committees and Task Forces we have now added the United Nations Global Compact for Women’s Empowerment Principles as a companion piece to our Diversity Policy” ….said London Chamber CEO Gerry Macartney.
The statement - “Equality Means Business” has never been more true or more relevant in today’s environment added Macartney. A growing body of evidence is driving the business case for Women’s Empowerment and momentum is building and gaining traction.
The seven Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) introduced by UN Global Compact and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) provide companies, government and society a set of principles to empower women in the workplace, market place and the community.
Expanding the benefits of exploring and applying the seven principles to small business owners, civil society, MUSH organizations (municipalities, universities, colleges and hospitals), labour, business, service organizations, and to government at all levels was deemed essential to advance women’s economic empowerment in Canada and is seen as an imperative to building strong economies, establishing more stable and just societies and improving the quality of life for all women, men and their families in communities across our Nation.
While not a hardened approach, the Principles are to be viewed as a general framework when initiating dialogue with stakeholders about their role in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment and can act as a valuable platform to share best practices and encourage collaborative partnerships across stakeholder groups.
The Principles include:
Establish high level corporate leadership for gender equality; Treat all women and men fairly at work –respect human rights and non-discrimination; Ensure the health and 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.
Those interested in learning more may wish to attend the Women’s Economic Empowerment Community Building Event taking place on October 5th at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn on Wellington Road with registration, networking and coffee at 10:00 am and finishing by 12:30 am. To register contact: Doris.empowerment@ccew.ca
Featured as one of the panelists at this event is the Chamber’s own President of the Board of Directors, Courtney Hance who is the President and Founder of the Branding Firm.
