The Gender Equality Seal was created by the United Nations Development Agency (UNDP). It has emerged with the cooperation of companies and states. The Seal was developed to document the fulfillment of gender equality commitments. The certification program is intended to create a kind of incentive for companies and governments. Firstly, it was implemented by auditing companies of Latin American origin. The Seal has been applied to more than 600 companies and 1,900 small businesses in 14 countries since 2009. It is aimed at spreading the Seal on a global scale. In this way, it was thought that the gender equality gap would be closed.
The Seal was created as a governance tool that is desirable to use to empower managers and accelerate the changes needed to support national gender equality goals. Minimum service and production quality standards have been determined with the Gender Equality Seal. It was created to adapt gender equality, one of the sustainable development goals, to working life. A guide has been prepared for senior executives on how to achieve gender equality. Methods that increase in-house productivity and create effective results have been determined.
What is the Procedure for Obtaining the Gender Equality Seal?
The certificate is just a snapshot of a long-term change. A ten-step process has been determined by the United Nations Development Agency (UNDP). Public and private enterprises are assisted by the implementation of the determining steps. The certification process begins with the verification of a company's commitment. The strategy for the gender equality targets of companies and institutions is first determined and developed. Gaps in company policies are identified, and solutions are offered.
Among the focus areas of certification are whether organizations have adopted work-life policies, whether there are safe spaces for all employees, whether men and women are hired in non-traditional sectors, whether they provide equal pay, and whether women are in leadership positions.
Bronze, silver, or gold seals are awarded according to the success of organizations and companies in the ten-step guide. The Gender Equality Seal has likewise established many procedures to maintain the certificate's status after it is issued. In this way, different strategies have been determined to ensure that gender equality policies progress daily and make them permanent. It is aimed at providing sustainable institutional improvement.
How Does the System of the Gender Equality Seal Increase the Visibility of Institutions and Companies?
Certificate application is voluntary. Where companies and institutions will stand according to gender equality criteria will be on their initiative. The seal system performs a self-assessment using an online assessment tool. There are different standards for each certification level.
A unique service package is offered to companies and institutions, including Action Plan development support. Regional Service Centers work with Country Offices to identify concrete steps for improvement during the recovery period (approximately nine months). The evaluation process should be transparent and understandable, using participatory methodologies and involving all stakeholders. After receiving the Seal, news of the company's success is circulated through United Nations business networks. At the same time, appropriate support services are provided to companies and institutions by developing an implementation plan in line with the lessons and recommendations from the assessments.
What is the Status of the Gender Equality Seal in Turkey?
The Gender Equality Seal was first applied in Turkey by Limak Investment. With the support provided by the United Nations Development Agency, Limak Investment has ensured the development and adoption of an approach suitable for gender equality within the scope of the certificate. Global standards on gender equality have been implemented at the institutional level. With the Engineer Girls of Turkey project, Limak Holding has put forward an integrated model in corporate life and applications for university students. They were entitled to enter the Gender Equality Seal certification system with their corporate responsibility projects.
Author:
Çağın Ergün
Source:
https://sa-intl.org/programs/gender-equity-seal/
https://unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trade/wp6/documents/2016/PPTs/RLagunas_PPT_UNDP_Seal_UNECE_Nov_30.pdf
https://womendeliver.org/undps-gender-equality-seal-certification-programme-public-private-enterprises-lessons-learned-latin-america/
https://www.undp.org/publications/undp-gender-equality-seal-initiative-undp-entities
http://www.skdturkiye.org/esit-adimlar/firsat-esitligi-deneyimleri/limak-undp-esitlik-muhru-programini-baslatan-ilk-turk-sirketi-oldu
https://www.undp.org/tr/turkiye/news/calisma-hayatindaki-kadinlara-undp-toplumsal-cinsiyet-esitligi-muhru
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