PRINCIPLE 6: PROMOTE EQUALITY THROUGH
number of individuals embark upon that change, and come
COMMUNITY INITIATIVES AND ADVOCACY
together for mutual support and shared action, then a critical mass is attained that can influence and transform
Lead by example – showcase company commitment to
the institutions, communities and society of which they
gender equality and women's empowerment
are a part of. This is how social movements are built.
Leverage influence, alone or in partnership, to
Our study data has been unable to trace this trajectory as
advocate for gender equality and collaborate with business partners, suppliers and community leaders to promote inclusion
% having women focussed CSR
Work with community stakeholders, officials and others, to eliminate discrimination and exploitation and open opportunities for women and girls Promote and recognise women's leadership in, and contributions to, their communities and ensure sufficient representation of women in any community consultation
20% Consulting 20% Aviation 20% Media
Use philanthropy and grants programmes to support
33% Financial Services
company commitment to inclusion, equality and
40% F&B
human rights
80% IT
83% Energy
Introduction: the efforts of the corporates are recent and insufficient to This Principle that seeks to 'promote equality through
trigger a movement. Yet our data is reassuring. It shows
community initiatives and advocacy' actively guides
there is a commitment to women's empowerment among
corporates to widen their commitment to promote women
corporates. Almost all corporates promote community-
empowerment beyond their own enterprise and business
based initiatives, either using a direct implementation
networks. The expected outcomes, like other principles,
approach or by funding grassroots NGOs. Our study
could begin with the corporates working with a definite
uncovers that almost all corporates are serious about
vision within their own frameworks and then move to
investing into communities. Equally remarkable is the fact
touch all their circles of influence. When this movement
that have been doing so even before mandatory
begins to reach many more people and when a sufficient
investment was introduced by the government. 55