In support of UN Women and the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) In support of UN Women and
the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs)

Achieving full gender equality, one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), could take close to 300 years if the current rate of progress continues, according to the Gender Snapshot 2022 published by UN Women and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA).

The study reveals how gender disparities are worsening in the face of “cascading” global crises – such as the COVID-19 pandemic, violent conflict, and climate change – coupled with the backlash against women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights.

As a result, countries will not meet SDG5 by the 2030 deadline. At WJI 2030 we are committed to reverse this trend. Cooperation, partnerships and investments are essential to put the world back on track. WJI 2030 believes that WEPs can act as a fundamental stepping stone for corporate delivery on gender equality dimensions of the 2030 agenda and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

We are proud to have joined hands with UN Women WEPs team to action and lead the way forward.

What are the 7 principles of the WEPs?

Principle 01
HIGH LEVEL CORPORATE LEADERSHIP
Principle 02
TREAT ALL WOMEN AND MEN FAIRLY AT WORK WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION
Principle 03
EMPLOYEE HEALTH, WELL-BEING AND SAFETY
Principle 04
EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR CAREER ADVANCEMENT
Principle 05
ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT, SUPPLY CHAIN AND MARKETING PRACTICES
Principle 06
COMMUNITY INITIATIVES AND ADVOCACY
Principle 07
MEASUREMENT AND REPORTING
Read more about principles
The Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs)

The Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs), established by the UN Global Compact and UN Women, provide a set of 7 Principles that offer guidance to all businesses, on how to promote gender equality in the workplace, marketplace and community.

The WEPs are informed by international labour and human rights standards and grounded in the recognition that businesses have a stake in, and a responsibility for, gender equality and women’s empowerment.

One of the fundamental principles of engagement for the WJI 2030 is C-Suite Driven commitment. By joining the WEPs community, the CEO signals commitment to this agenda at the highest levels of the company and to work collaboratively in multistakeholder networks to foster business practices that empower women.

WJI 2030 Encourages All Members, Partners And Key Stakeholders To Sign The WEPs.

Interested in becoming a signatory?

What is the importance of Gender Equality in the watch and jewellery industry?

The World Economic Forum, in the Global Gender Gap Report 2022, has found that at the current rate of progress, it will take 132 years to reach full parity.

Women's Role in the Jewelry Industry

When it comes to gender gaps in the workforce, these gaps are said to be driven by factors including long-standing structural barriers, socioeconomic and technological transformation, as well as economic shocks. Women are seen to have increasingly moved to paid work, including leadership positions. However, societal expectations, employer policies, the legal framework, and the availability of care continue to play a fundamental role in the choice of trajectories for women.

Source: World Economic Forum, Global Gender Gap Report 2022

Gender Gaps in the Workforce

In 2018, in a White Paper developed by BSR, women were said to drive 90% of the world's jewelry according to most estimates. However, women’s roles in the jewelry supply chain are said to be conditioned by gender inequalities that serve as barriers for women in entering and advancing within the industry. Women are typically found in informal and precarious activities or engaged in lower-value and lower-skilled activities, where they are not fully recognized or rewarded and are at greater risk of exploitation. In the midstream and upstream areas of the sector in particular, they also often bear the greatest burden of some of the negative impacts of the industry on land, water, communities, and human health.

Source: “Women in the Jewelry Supply Chain.” White Paper. BSR, 2018

Additional reports and resources

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