The Women’s Empowerment Principles are a set of 7 Principles, for business offering guidance on how to empower women in the workplace, marketplace and community.
They are grounded in the recognition that businesses have a stake in, and a responsibility for, gender equality and women’s empowerment. Gender equality is more than just a moral responsibility. It is also great for business.
Jointly promulgated by UN Women and the UN Global Compact, there are now now more than 6,500 CEO-level signatories from across the globe.
The Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) are a primary vehicle for corporate delivery on gender equality dimensions of the 2030 agenda and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. WEPs signatories therefore stand in solidarity with the United Nations to end gender inequality in the workplace, marketplace and community.
The CEO signs the CEO Statement of Support for the WEPs and thereby signals commitment at the highest level of the company to foster business culture and practices that advance gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Signing the WEPs is just the first step. Companies are encouraged to take steps to turn their commitments into action and to monitor and report on their progress and to work collaboratively in multi-stakeholder networks. All signatories are encouraged to make their WEPs commitment visible. There are many benefits to doing so. Consumers, workers, investors and shareholders will know that your company has made it a business priority to achieve the highest standards of gender equality and women’s empowerment.
UN Women stands ready to offer support, guidance and capacity building to help companies make the promise of the WEPs into a reality.
Companies (private, public, state-owned and cooperatives) of any size and industry, established under national law, industry associations and chambers of commerce committed to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace, marketplace and community are invited to join the WEPs community.
We also welcome other partners and stakeholders, such as civil society, international organizations, academia and governments, to join our efforts as allies and to embrace the WEPs as a framework for dialogue and action that advance gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Read the WEPs FAQ for additional eligibility questions.
Joining the WEPs requires two actions from your side:
The company or organization’s CEO/President signs the CEO Statement of Support.
Once signatures are in place, you submit your online application form.
Once completed and submitted, you will receive an automatic email confirming your submission. Please note that your company is only considered a WEPs signatory when your application has been approved. Please allow 10-15 business days for your application to be processed. When approved, you will receive another email confirming that your company’s application has been approved and welcoming your organization to the WEPs community.
Learn more about the WEPs here and use this How To Guide to complete the online application.
In Association with
