Uniting Business for Gender Equality: UN Global Compact and Local Networks Ring the Bell in March 2023

, by Voice For Institutional Democracy

#UnitingBusiness for Gender Equality: UN Global Compact and Local Networks Ring the Bell in March 2023

New York, United States of America

(Serbia)

Equality for all is critical to advancing a global, sustainable economy. During March, International Women’s Month, the United Nations Global Compact recognized International Women's Day (8 March) and continued to stress the importance of Sustainable Development Goal 5 (advancing Gender Equality).

The business case for gender equality has been made, and it is clear. When women serve as employees and leaders within a company, it positively affects the company’s bottom line. Gender Equality is good for business!

Ring the Bell for Gender Equality is built upon the collaboration of stock exchanges around the world ringing the opening or closing bell on or around International Women’s Day to raise awareness of the importance of gender equality and highlight the private sector’s role in promoting gender equality. This is especially meaningful, as women were not always allowed on the floor of stock exchanges.

Today, women drive the world's economy and are transforming financial markets. By ringing the bell for gender equality, stock exchanges and companies are sending a powerful message that they are committed to promoting gender equality and creating a more inclusive and sustainable world for all.

Ring the Bell for Gender Equality is a partnership of the UN Global Compact, UN Women, the Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) initiative, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE).

For this year's Ring the Bell, the UN Global Compact celebrated with 23 of its Local Networks worldwide in a great show of dedication to global action.

UN Global Compact Network Canada and its Interim Executive Director Daria Naglic took stock of the barriers women face in achieving success in the country’s tech industry in her remarks at the NEO Exchange in Toronto.

Global Compact Networks Colombia, Peru and Chile conducted their Ring the Bell events virtually, in partnership with private sector leaders, Bloomberg, the International Finance Corporation and the stock markets of their respective nations.

Global Compact Network Brazil held its Ring the Bell ceremony at the B3 stock exchange in São Paolo. Network Brazil also organized a panel on “Black Women — racial barriers to gender equality.” Participants included Ana Carolina Querino, Deputy Representative of UN Women Brazil; Fernanda Ribeiro, President of Afrobusiness and Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Conta Black; and Nalva Moura, Manager of Institutional Relations for the Pact for the Promotion of Racial Equity.

(Brazil)

Global Compact Network Denmark rang the bell for gender equality with Nasdaq Copenhagen. Sara Krüger Falk, Executive Director of Global Compact Network Denmark, spoke of the nation’s need to put women first in business and innovate. Others in attendance for a panel discussion included: Thomas Harr, Assistant Governor at Danmarks Nationalbank; Carsten Borring, Head of Listings and Capital Markets at Nasdaq Copenhagen; and Helle Mayor, Director of Corporate Communications at Nasdaq Copenhagen.

(Denmark)

Global Compact Network Finland also celebrated International Women’s Day on 8 March by ringing the stock exchange bell, as did Global Compact Network Greece, which produced a video showcasing its efforts.

(Finland)

Global Compact Network Italy and its Executive Director, Daniela Bernacchi, organized an event to present data, facts and figures about the global gender gap. They also shared information on national and European progress in promoting gender equality on corporate leadership boards. The event was widely publicized in the media, including in leading Italian news publications La Repubblica and Corriere Della Serra.

Global Compact Network Kenya launched a programme in partnership with the Confederation of Danish Industries in East Africa to accelerate the adoption and implementation of international human rights standards and gender diversity in the Kenyan labour market.

(Kenya)

In the Netherlands, Local Network colleagues organized their bell-ringing ceremony with EuroNext. The company showed its commitment to gender equality by signing the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) of the UN Global Compact. The WEPs are a set of principles developed in partnership with UN Women that guide businesses in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace, marketplace and community. Furthermore, the Dutch multinational company AkzoNobel shared an expert article on Global Compact Network Netherlands’ website that outlines five ways a company can embrace gender equity.

(Netherlands)

Global Compact Network Nigeria held a symposium for International Women’s Day. During the event, its Executive Director Naomi Nwokolo said:

“Including women in technology not only leads to more imaginative solutions but also holds immense potential for developing innovations that cater to women's requirements and advance gender equality.”

Global Compact Network Norway rang the bell at the Oslo Børs stock exchange. Global Compact Network Poland was present at the Warsaw Stock Exchange to draw attention to the issues of gender inequality in the country’s labour market.

Global Compact Network Spain rang the bell at the Bilbao Stock Exchange, and the Network’s Executive Director Cristina Sánchez said: “Discrimination is holding the world back economically and socially. A better world for women is a better world for society as a whole.”

In Sri Lanka, in addition to its Ring-the-Bell Ceremony, the Local Network released a video on empowering women in STEM-related roles in both senior management and factory production.

(Sri Lanka)

Marsha Macatta-Yambi, Executive Director of Global Compact Network Tanzania, stood alongside UNICEF and UN Women’s country representatives, the UN Resident Coordinator and private sector business leaders as they recognized the importance of women's empowerment in the country. In the United Kingdom, Charlie Bronks, Board Member of Global Compact Network UK, gave a speech about the Women's Empowerment Principles and how gender equality is “smart business.”

(Tanzania)

In addition to its Ring the Bell for Gender Equality celebration, Global Compact Network Uruguay held a panel with women working in the country’s technology sector. The discussion included: Fiorella Haim, Head of Ceibal (Uruguay’s digital technology center for education innovation) and Carolina Bañales, Founder of technology company Eyecue Insights. They spoke about the importance of digital education, the participation of women in STEM careers, the role of women entrepreneurs in technology and securing access to financing for women-led technology projects.

(Uruguay)

Global Compact Network Nepal closed the month with its Ring the Bell celebration on 31 March in Lalitpur. They organized a panel discussion focusing on digitization for financial inclusion, alongside UN Women, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, the Nepal Stock Exchange and the International Finance Corporation.

* * *

It's time for the private sector to step up and take action on gender equality. By committing to policies and practices that promote gender equality in the workplace, companies can help break down the barriers that hold women back and create a more just and equitable world for all. Join the UN Global Compact in this critical mission and help us build a future that is truly equal for all!

To learn more about the work of the UN Global Compact on gender equality and become involved, visit our website.

UN Global Compact

#UnitingBusiness #TenPrinciples

UN Global Impact

About Me:

My philosophical stance revolves around the belief that the ultimate outcome of faith is love, and that love leads to service, which in turn leads to peace, as articulated by the wise words of Mother Teresa. I hold a strong conviction that dedication to individuals suffering from adversity is a vital component of a meaningful existence. As for my interpersonal relationships, I value my innermost being that embodies a harmonious blend of passion, confidence, equilibrium, empathy, generosity, communication skills, amiability, sensitivity, inventiveness, respect for all individuals, dependability, and a steadfast adherence to ethical principles. Additionally, I have made a conscious decision to abstain from any form of violent behaviour. In my capacity as an independent HR Defender, I am committed to advocating for human rights and safeguarding the welfare of those who have experienced marginalization or injustice. -Minhaz Samad Chowdhury, Independent HR Defender

Vision and Mission:

My overarching aspirations are reflected in my vision and mission statements. Firstly, I envision a world where the next generation of children can thrive in a united global community that embraces a single identity and curriculum through my initiative titled "One World, One Identity, One Curriculum." Secondly, my mission involves advocating for the establishment of institutional democracy and good governance as a means of laying a robust foundation for the progress and development of our nation. Furthermore, I am committed to ensuring the safety and protection of minority communities in Bangladesh by creating a permanent protection system. Additionally, I harbor the ambitious vision of reuniting Great India by 2050, which represents a grand undertaking. As an independent HR Defender, my mission is to promote human rights protection and uphold institutional democracy and good governance to foster a strong and equitable society. Through our "One World, One Identity, One Curriculum" initiative, we aim to provide all children with equal access to high-quality education regardless of their social backgrounds. We are determined to establish a permanent protection system that safeguards the well-being of minority communities in Bangladesh. -Minhaz Samad Chowdhury, Independent HR Defender

The Reunification of Great India is an Ambitious Initiative: A Vision of 2050

The Indian subcontinent has a long and complex history, with various empires and kingdoms ruling the land for centuries. However, with the arrival of colonialism, the region became divided and fragmented, leading to the creation of modern-day India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. This partition caused significant conflicts and divisions between the people of the region. Today, there is a call for a bold and courageous step towards reunification, an initiative that can only be achieved through education. The power of education can build a sense of shared identity and purpose among the people of the subcontinent, with a one-world, one-identity, one-curriculum based education system. This can create a generation of young people who appreciate and respect the diversity of the region and promote harmony and unity. The government must take this initiative seriously and invest in building a world-class education system that can bring the nation together. Citizens must support this initiative and work towards a brighter and more prosperous future. Learning from the mistakes of the past, the people of the subcontinent can draw inspiration from the reunification of Germany in 1990 and work towards a similar outcome. However, building a strong foundation for the country requires more than just education. Good governance and institutional democracy are two key factors that play a significant role in building a strong foundation for any country. Good governance and democracy ensure accountability, transparency, and equal representation of citizens in the political process. Good governance is crucial for any country to maintain stability, growth, and development. It ensures that the government functions in a transparent and accountable manner, and all the decisions are made in the best interest of the people. A government that practices good governance encourages civic participation, promotes human rights, and fosters economic growth. Institutional democracy is a system that allows citizens to participate in the political process through elections, referendums, and other forms of civic engagement. It promotes equal representation of all citizens, regardless of their socio-economic background, ethnicity, or gender. Institutional democracy encourages transparency and accountability in the political process, which fosters public trust in the government. To build a strong foundation, the establishment of a legal framework is required, outlining the rights and responsibilities of citizens and the government. This framework should ensure that all citizens have equal access to the political process and that the government is accountable to its citizens. In conclusion, the reunification of Great India is an ambitious initiative, requiring education, good governance, and institutional democracy. Building a strong foundation for the country is crucial to maintain stability, growth, and development. The establishment of a legal framework that promotes transparency, accountability, and equal representation of citizens in the political process is essential for citizens to trust their government, participate in the political process, and contribute to the development of their country. By prioritizing education, good governance, and institutional democracy, countries can build a strong foundation for a prosperous and sustainable future. Minhaz Samad Chowdhury Independent HR Defender

An Appeal for Permanent Protection System for Minorities of Bangladesh

Honorable Prime Minister, I am writing to express my deep concern over the recent attacks on minority communities in Bangladesh, and to urge your government to take immediate action to establish a protection system permanently for these communities. As you are aware, attacks on minority communities have been on the rise in Bangladesh in recent years, and the situation has become more urgent with the recent attacks in many places of Bangladesh. These attacks have caused significant harm and trauma to the affected communities, and it is crucial that your government takes steps to ensure their safety and security. To this end, I strongly recommend the establishment of a protection system for minority communities in Bangladesh, which could include the following measures: 1. Establishing a Constitutional Commission to oversee and monitor the protection of minority communities, and to ensure that their rights are fully respected. 2. Establishing Special Tribunals for speedy trial as a requirement in area basis, to ensure that any cases of violence or discrimination against minority communities are promptly and fairly addressed. 3. Establishing a special police force for the protection of minority communities, with a focus on preventing violence and discrimination, and ensuring the safety and security of all individuals. These measures, if implemented effectively, would go a long way in addressing the root causes of discrimination and violence against minority communities in Bangladesh, and would provide much-needed protection to those who are most vulnerable. I urge you to take immediate action to establish a protection system for minority communities in Bangladesh, and to ensure that the human rights of all individuals are fully respected and protected. Your leadership and commitment to these issues are critical in ensuring a more inclusive and tolerant society, where all individuals can live without fear of discrimination or violence. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Sincerely, --Minhaz Samad Chowdhury, Independent HR Defender

One World, One Identity, One Curriculum: A Vision for the Children of Tomorrow

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected and globalized, it is more important than ever for our children to have a shared understanding of what it means to be a citizen of the world. This vision of a unified world, with one syllabus, one curriculum, and one identity, is not only a dream for the future, but a necessary step towards building a better tomorrow. The idea of a unified world is not new, but it has never been more pressing than it is today. With the rise of nationalism and division, it is crucial that we provide our children with the tools and knowledge they need to understand and appreciate the diverse cultures, religions, and traditions that make up our world. A shared curriculum, with a focus on global citizenship and intercultural understanding, can help to break down barriers and foster a sense of unity and belonging among all people. A unified curriculum would also provide our children with a common foundation of knowledge and skills, allowing them to work together towards shared goals and aspirations. It would provide them with a sense of purpose and direction, and give them the tools they need to make a positive impact on the world. In order to achieve this vision, it is essential that we work together as a global community. Governments, educators, and organizations must come together to create a curriculum that is inclusive, accessible, and relevant to all. This curriculum must be grounded in the principles of equality, justice, and respect for all people, and must provide opportunities for students to develop critical thinking skills, creativity, and empathy. Ultimately, the goal of a unified world, with one syllabus, one curriculum, and one identity, is to create a future where all children can thrive. It is a future where they can be proud of their unique heritage and culture, while also embracing the diversity of others. It is a future where they can work together to solve the challenges of our time and build a better world for all. In conclusion, let us strive to make this vision a reality for the children of tomorrow. Let us work together to create a world where all people are valued, respected, and have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Together, we can build a better future for the children of tomorrow. Minhaz Samad Chowdhury Independent HR Defender