Human Rights and Governance Archives

Closing the Mobile Gender Gap Will Have Significant Benefits for Women, their Communities and Economies

The latest GSMA data shows that across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) progress on digital inclusion has stalled for the second year in a row. However, the benefits of addressing the wide and stubborn mobile gender gaps are significant. Here, we outline recommendations for stakeholders to reduce these gaps and the potential benefits of doing so.

Gender, Technology

June 13, 2023

Plastic Waste is Hurting Women in Developing Countries – but there are ways to stop it

If we are to build a greener, fairer and more equal society in the wake of COVID-19, it’s time for rich countries to end their practice of dumping plastic waste in developing countries. This not only harms the environment but disproportionately affects the women and girls who tend to clear it up.

Climate & Environment, Climate Action, Climate Justice, Gender

June 12, 2023

Advancing Vaccination Equity in Europe

A report on the essential strategies for advancing vaccination equity in Europe. Delve into the importance of targeting vulnerable populations experiencing poverty and social exclusion to reverse the decline in vaccination uptake across the continent. Featuring case studies from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK, this report highlights three key priorities for EU and national efforts: improved data collection incorporating social determinants, enhanced access through community pharmacies and mobile clinics, and fostering trust via co-created community solutions. Sponsored by MSD.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Health

June 1, 2023

Parents in the Workplace: Help Co-Create a New Tool for Employers

The Equality Institute is undertaking a new initiative looking at the challenges parents face in the workplace, how these challenges differ for mothers versus fathers and other people caring for children, and what employers can do to help overcome them. But we need your help. Please Share your views in this Parents in the Workplace Survey.

Care Economy, Gender, Sustainable Employment

May 30, 2023

Time to Act: 3 Ways the Business Community Can Take Action to Help Improve Youth Mental Health

In response to the growing mental health crisis among youth, the UNICEF-led Global Coalition for Youth Mental Health issues an urgent call to businesses worldwide. Advocating for increased investment, public awareness, and supportive workplace cultures, this coalition strives to foster environments that prioritize and protect youth mental health, aiming to benefit 30 million individuals by 2030.

Health, Youth

May 24, 2023

Supply Chain Contracts are Protecting Human Rights, with Sue, Patrick and Olivia

Social Impact Pioneers Sue Maslow, Patrick Miller and Olivia Windham Stewart – explain Supply Chain Contracts & Human Rights Due Diligence

Business, Corporate Impact, Human Rights, Innovative Business Models

May 23, 2023

How Can the Private Sector Tackle Inequality and Generate Shared Prosperity for All?

Systemic inequality poses an existential threat to our society and economy. The Business Commission to Tackle Inequality (BCTI)’s flagship report is an urgent call to business leaders to prioritize ten impactful actions that champion equity and inclusion and drive truly transformative change.

Corporate Impact, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

May 18, 2023

Food Technology Can Feed the World, So Says Social Impact Pioneer Donna Rosa

Donna’s high-flying career in food technology and nutritional science would have been enough for most of us. Instead, Donna then switched to helping entrepreneurs in emerging markets be more successful and scale their business. If nothing else this conversation is an inspiring journey revealing that a combination of science, technology, and business expertise can create positive social impact in the world.

Agriculture, Food and Nutrition, Measuring Social Impact, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Technology

May 15, 2023

Understanding Local Markets Can Create Green Jobs and Improved Livelihoods in African Cities

The transition to a green economy offers the prospect of an improved environment and better livelihoods. But unlocking that opportunity requires understanding local markets and economic incentives.

Agriculture, Business, Climate & Environment, Climate Action, Climate Justice, Gender, Livelihoods and Jobs, Youth

May 3, 2023

Economic Costs of LGBTI+ exclusion, with Ricardo and Lee

What is the economic cost of LGBTI+ exclusion? Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex or Questioning (LGBTI+) people are among the most marginalised and excluded groups but what does this mean for business around the world? This podcast examines the opportunity that fully inclusive organisations can offer. Listen in to hear from Social Impact Pioneers and leading voices on LGBTI+ inclusion: Lee Badgett and Ricardo Garcia Tafur.

Corporate Impact, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Innovative Business Models, LGBTQI+

May 2, 2023

Tackling Digital and Financial Exclusion: Women Vendors Raising Themselves Out of Poverty with Social Media Marketing

Women micro-entrepreneurs in Nairobi’s informal settlements struggle to get online and access the credit they need. Hand in Hand and Visa Inc.’s groundbreaking ‘acceleration’ programme tackled digital and financial exclusion, boosting participants’ profits by an average of 95%. Lucy Kerei, Programme Manager at Hand in Hand, Eastern Africa, shares how.

Finance and Investment, Gender, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Technology

April 28, 2023

Scaling Green Tech Solutions for Smallholder Farmers, with Audrey and Khadija

Are you ready to learn from a young female entrepreneur from Ghana and an Africa and Middle East female finance leader from Pakistan who are passionate about the way we approach green tech solutions and improve incomes for smallholder farmers? Then buckle up and tune into this podcast featuring Social Impact Pioneers Audrey S-Darko and Khadija Hashimi

Agriculture, Business, Climate & Environment, Climate Action, Climate Justice, Gender, Livelihoods and Jobs, Measuring Social Impact, Technology

April 24, 2023

Female Entrepreneurs and the Vegan Women Summit, with Jennifer Stojkovic

Unlocking the power of female entrepreneurs from the inside – social impact pioneer Jenny Stojkovic, joins us to share her journey.

Gender, Measuring Social Impact, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

April 18, 2023

Gender Empowerment: How Carbon Finance & Investing in Climate Solutions Drives Positive Impact

With climate change having an outsize impact on women and girls, particularly those in developing countries, there must be a focus on the link between gender equity and climate as we consider climate solutions. This article highlights the role of carbon finance in channelling investment to projects impacting both, and the need to raise organisations’ climate ambitions.

Climate & Environment, Climate Action, Gender

April 3, 2023

New Research Reveals Women Entrepreneurs are Facing Enormous Challenges: The Private Sector Must Take Action to Close the Gender Gap

The Cherie Blair Foundation for Women’s latest research reveals the key challenges, motivations, and opportunities for women entrepreneurs. Here, the Foundation’s CEO, Helen McEachern, shares their key findings and calls on the private sector to take urgent action to support women entrepreneurs and help close the global gender gap in entrepreneurship.

Gender

March 28, 2023

Five Years On, Have Companies Improved on Respecting Human Rights?

The World Benchmarking Alliance recently published its 5th iteration of the Corporate Human Rights Benchmark. While companies have improved their scores on key human rights indicators, over a decade since the launch of the UNGPs and faced with upcoming due diligence legislation, big gaps remain and the pace of improvement needs to speed up. From five years of benchmarking data, we have gathered the following learnings that can help companies improve.

Human Rights

March 22, 2023

What’s it Really Going to Take to Reach Gender Equality?

Listen in to explore the challenges and opportunities surrounding gender equality and women’s empowerment. The conversation goes beyond the standard gender equality rhetoric, peering deeper into some uncomfortable areas of why gender equality is in some cases stalling or reversing.

Gender

March 21, 2023

How can companies apply a gender equity lens to address their Scope 3 emissions?

A workshop on how to manage Scope 3 emissions and integrate a gender lens into your decarbonisation plans. Discover what other companies are trialling

Gender

March 16, 2023

How can companies collaborate to tackle Gender-Based Violence in the workplace? – full video

A workshop on developing workplace policies to address gender-based violence (GBV) across multiple markets. Learn from real-life examples and explore the importance of collaborating

Gender

March 16, 2023

How can we drive health equity by empowering women? – full video

A thought-provoking Fireside Chat on the critical role of women in vaccination uptake. With rates of preventable diseases falling globally, women are essential in

Gender

March 16, 2023

Human Rights and Governance

Advancing Human Rights and Governance