Community insights

In the realm of leasing, women often face multifaceted barriers that limit their access and involvement in financial transactions. From challenges in accessing capital to confronting gender biases in decision-making processes, these barriers underscore the need for a more inclusive and equitable leasing landscape. LeaseLine, a Belgium-based leasing broker with over 35 years of experience, recognizes the significance of addressing these challenges.

“We are not investing in women with a political agenda or motivation; but rather doing this on a “pure return” perspective” - Eva Halvarsson, CEO of Andra Ap-fonden (AP2) from Sweden, one of northern Europe’s largest pension fund.

Setting the scene – we need to speed up to achieve SDG 5 by 2030

Every year, the United Nations reviews progress made on gender equality through its Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). This year, the Commission’s priority theme was “Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls”. The two-week session coincided with the International Women’s Day on 8 March.

“If the law is the floor – some countries are still in the basement. There are many economies around the world where women do not have the same legal rights as men. We all need to work on making a big push to ensure that our next generation will not have to face the same issues”, said Daniela Behr, Economist, Women, Business and the Law team at the World Bank.

Last month, G20 heads of State and Government gathered in Indonesia to discuss how their countries will “Recover Together, Recover Stronger” from the current socio-economic challenges. In this important group – representing 60 per cent of world population and 80 per cent of global GDP – only one head of a State or Government was a woman.  

The UN Women Asia-Pacific WEPs Awards is the first regional awards initiative that recognizes companies who are taking action for gender equality in the region aligned to the Women’s Empowerment Principles, with the ultimate objective to make good practices visible and encourage more business to take action by joining the WEPs.