AUSTRALIAN AMBASSADOR PRESENTS EDGE AWARDS INTERNATIONAL GENDER EQUALITY CERTIFICATION TO AYALA LAND AND CONVERGYS PHILIPPINES
Ayala Land Inc and Convergys Philippines received their EDGE certification Awards on 5 March at New World Hotel, Makati. They are the first two leading companies in the Philippines to receive the prestigious award.
EDGE Certification is the leading global assessment methodology and business certification standard for gender equality. EDGE Certification is currently working with more than 170 businesses and organizations, in over 48 countries and 23 industries around the world.
“I congratulate Ayala Land Inc and Convergys Philippines for leading the Philippine business sector on the EDGE certification. Gender equality and women’s economic empowerment is a priority of Australia’s foreign policy.” Australian Ambassador Amanda Gorely said.
“I am pleased that Australia and the Philippines are working together to enhance women’s economic empowerment. I hope our efforts encourage more businesses to promote gender equality in the workplace,” Australian Ambassador Amanda Gorely added.
The EDGE assessment process evaluates companies’ workplace gender equality performance against global and industry benchmarks. Certification provides a competitive advantage in positioning the companies as gender enlightened workplaces for work, investment, and for business. Numerous studies have shown that gender equitable workforce practices in businesses support improved business performance and positive socio-economic outcomes for women[1].[2]
Ayala Land Inc and Convergys are founding members of the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (PBCWE), a coalition of 7 large and influential businesses committed to pursue gender equality in their respective workplaces.
“We hope that this recognition will encourage other companies to follow suit and pursue women’s economic empowerment and gender equality in their respective workplaces. Gender equality is not just good news for women - it’s good for business” said PBCWE Co-Chair Ma. Aurora “Boots” D. Geotina-Garcia.
PBCWE is supported by Investing in Women, an initiative of the Australian Government, which aims to improve women’s participation in the workforce; enhance women’s voice in decision making and leadership; and influence the private and public sectors to recognise and promote the value of gender equality.
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[1] A 2016 report by McKinsey & Company found that should the Philippines increase the workforce participation of women by just 1 percentage point each year, by 2025 it would add $40 billion to the Philippine’s gross domestic product (GDP), or a 9 percent increase. A 2010 McKinsey report found that 60% of companies that invested in programs targeting women in emerging and developing markets resulted in increased profits through the opening or expanding markets
[2] . A 2010 McKinsey report found that 60% of companies that invested in programs targeting women in emerging and developing markets resulted in increased profits through the opening or expanding markets
Posted on 5 March 2018.