The Global Supply Chain Coalition was officially launched at COP30. The Coalition is a partnership between UN Women and the German federal Government aimed at making global supply chains gender-inclusive and sustainable. The coalition builds on the Women's Empowerment Principles framework, which currently guides over 12,000 companies worldwide.
The sustainable, low-carbon and circular economy is expanding rapidly. As industries accelerate investments in decarbonization, circular business models and renewable energy, women remain critically underrepresented in technical and leadership roles.
2025 marks the thirtieth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995). Beijing +30 calls on member states and other stakeholders, including the private sector, to act upon the unmet goals set thirty years ago.
Can you believe that 1 in every 10 women is living in extreme poverty? By 2030, an estimated 8 per cent of the world’s female population will still be living on less than $2.15 a day, if this trend continues. That is approximately 342 million women and girls.
“Women live longer than men,but spend more time in poor health." This powerful statement, made by Anna Falth, Global Head of the WEPs Secretariat at UN Women, set the tone for the 14th session of the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) webinar series. Hosted by UN Women, the session focused on Principle 3, which calls on companies to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of all employees, with particular attention to women’s needs.
Gender equality is good for business. It boosts productivity, expands markets, and strengthens economies. Yet, it remains one of the most underfunded areas in global development. Only a small fraction of global aid, private finance, and philanthropic capital is explicitly directed toward advancing women’s rights, leadership, and inclusion.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a global commitment to a world where women and girls live free from discrimination, violence, and inequality. Today, businesses worldwide are recognizing that gender equality is not only a matter of rights, but a powerful economic lever.
“How can we ensure that the shift to a green economy is not only environmentally sound, but also socially sound – with gender equality at its core?” – Anna Falth, Global Head, WEPs Secretariat
On May 7, 2025, UN Women and the UN Global Compact co-hosted the second WEPs 101 webinar of the year, offering companies practical guidance on engaging with the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs). Designed for both new and existing signatories, the session emphasized the WEPs as a globally recognized framework for advancing gender equality across the workplace, marketplace and community.
Despite ongoing challenges, Ukrainian companies have demonstrated resilience and leadership in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment. Across Ukraine, women continue to shape the local economy as entrepreneurs.
