Why gender reporting matters

"The business case for including gender in sustainability reporting is clear. Through this partnership with IFC, we are responding to a strong demand from stakeholders. We will provide practical, hands-on guidance for reporting on gender issues through extensive consultations with our global network."
— Sean Gilbert, Director of Sustainability Reporting Framework at GRI

"Adding a gender perspective to existing nonfinancial reporting frameworks will help private companies win recognition as diversity leaders by workers, investors and consumers. From a business perspective, the benefits of reporting on gender can hardly be underestimated, as it has been shown to help companies in recruiting, retaining, and motivating female employees, allowing them to take full advantage of the change in business mentality. Research also shows that representation of women in management roles is linked to strong corporate financial performance."
— Rachel Kyte, IFC Vice President for Business Advisory Services

Gender reporting:

• Helps companies recruit, retain and motivate female employees
• Increases market share by attracting socially conscious as well as female consumers
• Strengthens relationships with investors seeking socially responsible investing options
• Differentiates the company brand and strengthens the company's reputation as a "women-friendly" enterprise

Many companies have initiated special programs to ensure that both women and men equally contribute and benefit from their work. These "equal opportunity" companies are often known as places where women (and men) want to work. However, all too often this information does not translate into companies' sustainability reports. Why?

To date, there is no systematic guidance to help companies report on gender-informed practices. The most widely used sustainability guidelines — GRI's G3 guidelines — include only 3 performance indicators that do not directly address gender issues. IFC, together with GRI, have joined forces to address this void.

» London, England
(December 1-2, 2008)

» Johannesburg, South Africa
(December 10, 2008)

» São Paulo, Brazil
(March 5, 2009)

» Delhi, India
(March 24, 2009)

» Washington, DC, USA
(April 24, 2009)

» Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
(October 27, 2009)

Resources

Global Reporting Initiative

IFC's efforts to address gender issues

Wikigender

Voice your ideas on gender and reporting

Private Sector Development Blog on Gender

GRI Practitioner's Network

Are you interested in the issue of gender and sustainability reporting? Contact GRI to join GRI's practitioner network on the issue.

This initiative is made possible in part through funding from Germany, Iceland and Switzerland.