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.
Did you know that the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) is turning 15 years in 2025? Established in 2010, WEPs has been guiding the private sector to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment throughout their business ecosystems. The WEPs community has grown to over 11,000 signatories in more than 160 countries.
To mark the International Women’s Day in March 2025, 114 exchanges and central counterparty clearing houses (CCPs) around the world participated in the eleventh annual 'Ring the Bell for Gender Equality' to accelerate gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace, marketplace and community.
