UK champions women in business and shares the Women’s Empowerment Principles
The British Embassy delivered an activity with UN Women with the objective to share the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) in Guatemala.
The British Embassy and UN Women welcomed representatives of major companies, business chambers and the Guatemalan Ministry of Labour to discuss how to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace and community, within the WEPs framework.
Participants were able to share experiences on business practices that empower women and how to enhance them. The Guatemalan Government stressed its commitment to continue acknowledging the fundamental role women play in the development of a more prosperous and equal country.
UN Women representatives stressed the benefits of equality for businesses, as it triggers economic opportunities for companies that also derive in the country’s development. The seven WEPs principles on which the event focused are:
- Establish high-level corporate leadership for gender equality.
- Treat all women and men fairly at work – respect and support human rights and non-discrimination.
- 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.
Globally, 9,000 companies have already established these principles, while in Guatemala 48 are implementing it. UN Women is keen to continue coaching more enterprises about the WEPs, including British companies working in Guatemala in the areas of life and sciences, agriculture, renewable energy, fintech, and law, amongst others.
One of the priorities of the British Government is to improve the lives of women and girls around the world through its Women and Girls Strategy launched in 2023 and in line with WEPs. The strategy includes programmes for women that allows them to have access to economic opportunities through business interventions, build competitiveness of women-owned business, and educational programmes that enables them to forge professional relationships and expertise.
The Charge D’Affaires at the British Embassy, Paul Huggins, said:
We are glad to see UK and local companies learning more about women empowerment through WEPs. Investing in women and supporting women’s rights fosters more economic and social development in communities and it is good for businesses around the world.