FAQ

The CEO Statement of Support encourages business leaders to use the seven Principles as guideposts for actions that advance and empower women in the workplace, marketplace and community, and communicate progress through the use of sex-disaggregated data and other benchmarks. UN Women and the UN Global Compact Office will continue to provide opportunities for companies to share experiences, expertise and knowledge and to work together via a virtual network of  interested persons' and an annual Women's Empowerment Principles event in New York City scheduled to coincide with International Women's Day in March. The WEPs team strives to bring opportunities and resources to increase knowledge and engagement.

8. Does my company need to be a member of the UN Global Compact in order to sign the CEO Statement of Support?

No, all companies, from all sectors and regions of the world are invited to sign the CEO Statement of Support. Signers represent the largest companies and some quite small businesses. However, all companies are encouraged to consider participating in the Global Compact to broaden their understanding of corporate sustainability.

9. Is there a financial commitment associated with signing the CEO Statement?

The WEPs are a tool available to all companies free of charge. Global Compact participants that sign the CEO Statement of Support automatically contribute to the growth and sustainability of the WEPs initiative through their annual contribution to the Global Compact, which provides the Secretariat for the Women's Empowerment Principles. Companies that are not currently participants in the Global Compact are encouraged to consider joining in an effort to broaden their understanding and approach to corporate sustainability. For information on how to participate in the Global Compact, please see here or contact Lauren Gula ([email protected]).

Alternatively, companies that are not participants in the Global Compact, but are interested in signing the CEO Statement of Support for the Women's Empowerment Principle, are encouraged to make an annual contribution to help support the activities and efforts of the Women's Empowerment Principles initiative at the global level. Suggested annual contributions are USD 5,000 for large companies*, USD 2,500 for medium sized companies** and USD 500 for small companies. Annual contributions are payable to the Foundation for the Global Compact. Please indicate if the Foundation may send the indicated contact person an invoice and, if so, for what amount. If your company would like to make an in-kind contribution, please contact Lauren Gula ([email protected]).

* A large company has > USD 250 million in annual sales/revenue

** A medium sized company has between USD 50 million and USD 250 million in annual sales/revenue

10. Are there reporting and disclosure requirements associated with signing the CEO Statement of Support?

There is no formal reporting or disclosure requirement associated with signing the CEO Statement. However, since the importance of results and impact cannot be overstated, companies are strongly encouraged to set specific benchmarks and targets for progress towards gender equality and to use sex-disaggregated data when possible to report on progress to their stakeholders and many companies are doing just that. 

In response to requests from companies for further guidance and suggestions on how to track and report on progress towards implementation, the WEPs partnership team launched WEPs-specific reporting guidance that takes into consideration the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework and the UN Global Compact Communication on Progress (COP) requirement. The Guidance has been now updated to align with new GRI G4 guidelines. Learn more.

Further, as of 1 October 2014, UN Global Compact participants that have signed the CEO Statement of Support for the WEPs will now have the opportunity to answer four new gender specific questions when submitting their COP. These questions will provide an avenue for companies to transparently disclose their efforts around women’s empowerment and gender equality, while also communicating their progress in applying the Principles. To learn more about these new questions, please view our presentation and recording here.  For additional questions, please contact Danielle Leavy ([email protected]).

11. What happens if there is a change in company leadership?

If a new CEO is appointed to the company, it is assumed that she/he will carry on the work of her/his predecessor and uphold the company's commitment to promote and implement the Women's Empowerment Principles. Therefore, it is not necessary to fill out a new form. However, we ask that when a change in leadership takes place that notification is sent to the WEPs team so that the CEO list can be updated accordingly. Of course, if a new CEO would like to sign to reaffirm the company's commitment to the goals of the WEPs, and provide a new leadership quote, she/he is very welcome to do so.

12. How can civil society leaders and other non-corporate stakeholders demonstrate their support for the Women's Empowerment Principles?

While the CEO Statement of Support is strictly for signature by leaders of corporate entities, civil society leaders - including heads of business associations, non-governmental organizations, human rights organizations, women's organizations and academic institutions - are invited to demonstrate their support for the Women's Empowerment Principles and encourage business leaders to implement the Principles by making the WEPs part of a programmatic approach to engagement with the private sector, as well as with government leaders, the UN and other advocates.

For further information on how to engage the WEPs, please visit Get Involved.