KAMPALA, June 21, 2018: Twenty eight (28) private sector companies have today committed to participate in the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Gender Equality Seal Certification (GES) Programme for Private Enterprises.
Representatives of the twenty eight (28) private sector companies who committed to participate in the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Gender Equality Seal Certification (GES) Programme for Private Enterprises with the Representatives from UNDP, PSFU, Swedish Embassy and Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development. (Photo Credit: UNDP Uganda 2018).
KAMPALA, June 21, 2018: Twenty eight (28) private sector companies have today committed to participate in the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Gender Equality Seal Certification (GES) Programme for Private Enterprises.
The companies with varied portfolios from large companies to small and medium enterprises are from a wide range of sectors ranging from banking, consultancy, food and beverages, Information Communication Technology (ICT), leisure and hospitality, cosmetology, tourism and agriculture.
A number of the companies are also led by female women entrepreneurs who are keen to learn how to integrate and promote gender quality in their businesses.
The new companies bring to forty one (41), the number of enterprises who have adopted Gender Equality Seal Certification Programme for Private Enterprises in Uganda. The first 13 companies signed onto the seal in October 2016 making Uganda the first country in Africa to have its private sector adopt the seal through efforts lead by their umbrella body – Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) – which initially pledged to adopt and implement on the seal in August 2016.
“We are delighted to see increased interest in the Gender Equality Seal Certification Programme for Private Enterprises in Uganda. We thank PSFU and all the enterprises that have been with us for the last two years and welcome the new ones who have agreed to take on the challenge to ensure gender equality in the work-place,” Ms. Rosa Malango, the United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative said during the signing event.
She added that the initiative is very key for achieving the new global Agenda 2030 and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) particularly Goal 5 on gender equality and the UN Secretary Antonio Guterres’ initiative to promote gender equality in the work place.
“I applaud you, the 27 companies that have followed closely in the foot steeps of the 13 pioneer companies. I thank you for being brave enough to tackle gender inequality in the private sector – a key challenge and hindrance to inclusive and sustainable development in Africa,” Mr. Patrick Bitature, PSFU Chairperson said in a speech read on his behalf by Nicholas Okwir a member of the PSFU board.
Ms. Jane Sanyu Mpagi, Director Gender and Community Development in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development said that the Government is increasingly appreciative of the value of working with the private sector to harness private finance, stimulate job creation and further innovation to address the development challenges we face today. However, the private sector has been part of but not fully engaged in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.
“I therefore applaud efforts by the Private Sector Foundation of Uganda to encourage for their members to adopt the Gender Equality Seal for Private Enterprises which provides a roadmap for businesses to play their role in respecting and supporting women’s rights. The initiative aims to engage businesses to advance gender equality and sustainability,” Ms. Mpagi said.
For several of the companies who committed to the Seal in 2016, there has been an increase in the number of women in decision-making positions and a number have adopted new strategies to address the gender imbalances while serving their clientele.
