The UNDP has implemented, in coordination with National Governments from the region, the Gender Equality Seal Certi-fication Programme for private and public enterprises, which aims to close the region’s persistent gender gaps. This program recognizes private sector organizations for meeting specifi¬c requirements for promoting gender equality in the workplace and addressing gender equality gaps. The Gender Equality Seal Certi¬fication Programme helps companies, both large and small, create more equitable conditions for men and women and establish environments where women’s work and contributions are valued.
The UNDP has implemented, in coordination with National Governments from the region, the Gender Equality Seal Certi-fication Programme for private and public enterprises, which aims to close the region’s persistent gender gaps. This program recognizes private sector organizations for meeting specifi¬c requirements for promoting gender equality in the workplace and addressing gender equality gaps. The Gender Equality Seal Certi¬fication Programme helps companies, both large and small, create more equitable conditions for men and women and establish environments where women’s work and contributions are valued. Since the initiative was launched in 2009, more than 1700 national and multinational institutions from both public and private sectors have made part of the program, and around 1400 have been certi¬fied by their national governments, under a multisite approach. The programme has been implemented by national governments with the UNDP’s support, in ten countries from Latin America and the Caribbean. Currently, two more countries are in the development process.
In the context of the 2030 agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), which call the business community to align their mission and policies with the development agenda and to defi¬ne the best way they can contribute to global sustainability.The Gender Equality Seal recognizes the key role played by companies in addressing gender disparities in the workplace and contributing to the global agenda. A dynamic partnership is therefore established between the private sector, government institutions responsible for gender equality, and the UNDP, resulting in the transformation of corporate culture and internal management systems to achieve gender equality. For Governments, the programme offers a solid platform for inequality reduction in the workplace and creates constructive dialogues with the private sector regarding good labour practices, one of the main goals of the Sustainable Development Agenda. Specifically, the programme works in 6 areas:
1. Women in decision-making positions. Practical experiences and lessons learnt from companies on how to increase women in decision-making posts, strategies for career development and mentorships and establishing gender equality goals to correct imbalances in decision-making positions.
2. Detecting and eliminating gender-based pay gaps. Review of practical examples in identifying and solving wage gaps between men and women.
3. Policies to improve work-life balance. Experiences in promoting flexi-time, tele-commuting, paternity leave and other policies allowing men and women to more fairly and efficiently balance their work and family responsibilities.
4. Women in all company sectors. Experiences regarding the insertion of women into occupational areas that are traditionally male-dominated.
5. Inclusive and nonsexist communication inside and outside the company.
6. Promoting zero tolerance to sexual harassment in the work-place.
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