Gender equality is an issue that impacts everyone, from diversity in boardrooms and at the executive level, to equal opportunities for education. Studies show that empowering women is not only the right thing to do, but also the smart thing to do, leading to increases in GDP, higher productivity, return on investments and effective organisations. While we must acknowledge that progress has been made, there is still room for significant improvement. Given that less than 5% of CEOs are women among large, listed companies, greater action is needed. Investors have an important role to play, engaging not only with companies, but also stock exchanges and policymakers on gender equality.

Building on the 2016 SSE Report on Progress, which highlights five specific targets of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that exchanges are well placed to influence, this report examines the contribution exchanges can make toward SDG target 5.5: ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision making in political, economic, and public life, as well as the gender-specific targets under the other 16 SDGs.

Download the report here.

About the Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative

The SSE is a joint initiative of the UN Environment Program Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the UN Global Compact, and the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI).

For more details visit www.sseinitiative.org.