Honoring 17 businesses with innovative initiatives and positive contributions to promoting gender equality

17 Vietnamese enterprises were honored to receive the WEPs Awards 2024 from UN Women for their innovative initiatives and positive contributions to promoting gender equality in businesses, in the market and in the community towards prosperity and sustainable development in Vietnam.

The 2024 Women's Empowerment Principles Awards (WEPs Awards) by the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) are awarded to businesses with innovative initiatives and positive contributions to promoting gender equality in the enterprise, in the market and in the community towards prosperity and sustainable development in Vietnam.

This activity is part of the program "Creating equal market opportunities for women and women-led businesses through gender-responsible procurement" (WE RISE Together) supported by the Australian Government through the Mekong-Australia Partnership, implemented by UN Women in coordination with the Vietnam Women Entrepreneurs Council.

UN Women WEPs Awards 2024 includes 6 categories: Leaders committed to promoting gender equality; Gender equality in the workplace; Gender equality in the market; Gender equality through community engagement and partnerships; Reporting on gender equality; Investment, innovative funding for gender equality.

Overview of the award ceremony

In his opening speech, Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh, Vice President of the Vietnam Federation of Commerce and Industry , shared: "Equality and prosperity are not only goals, but also driving forces for sustainable development of businesses and the whole society. The UN Women WEPs Awards initiative is a testament to the continuous efforts of businesses and individuals in promoting leadership, commitment to gender equality, and building a fair and progressive business environment."

Ms. Caroline T. Nyamayemombe, UN Women Representative in Vietnam, spoke at the ceremony.

Ms. Caroline T. Nyamayemombe, Representative of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women in Vietnam (UN Women Vietnam), said: "As the engine of economic growth, businesses play an important role in narrowing the gender gap in the workplace, the market and the community. I believe that the WEPs Awards have started a new, transformative era, making a difference for businesses in the market. At the same time, setting standards for other businesses to join so that no one is left behind, including the businesses themselves."

At the ceremony, more than 100 delegates from businesses and ministries and agencies summarized and discussed lessons learned in promoting gender equality through community relations and partnerships, building sustainable supply chains; financial initiatives to promote gender equality. The program also summarized the results achieved after 3 years of the We Rise Together project.

Speakers share about the journey towards equality and prosperity of business

Ms. Christine Arab, UN Women Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, shared: "Empowering women-owned businesses and businesses that practice gender equality through supplier diversity and gender-responsive procurement not only promotes gender equality but also promotes economic growth and sustainable development. The project "WE RISE Together" has demonstrated that when we invest in women and gender equality, we invest in the future."

The Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) are an initiative of UN Women and UN Global Compact to encourage businesses to implement gender equality. To date, 222 businesses in Vietnam and 10,296 businesses worldwide have committed to implementing the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs).

The UN Women WEPs Awards were first launched in 2020 and will continue to be held in 2021, 2022 and 2024. This is UN Women's first Asia-Pacific regional initiative to recognize the pioneering role of businesses and business leaders in promoting gender equality and supporting the Women's Empowerment Principles.

List of companies and individuals awarded UN Women WEPs Awards 2024:

Category "Leaders Committed to Gender Equality":

1. Mr. Kaowsiri Purin - General Director, Crystal Martin Company Limited (Vietnam)

2. Ms. Cao Thi Ngoc Dung - Chairwoman of the Board of Directors, Phu Nhuan Jewelry Joint Stock Company

3. Ms. Tran Thi Thu Thuy - Member of Board of Directors, VPS Securities Joint Stock Company

Category "Gender equality in the workplace":

1. Coca-Cola Vietnam Beverage Company Limited

2. Bitexco Nam Long Joint Stock Company

3. Heineken Vietnam Brewery Company Limited

Category "Gender Equality in the Marketplace":

1. Procter & Gamble Vietnam Company Limited P&G

2. Traphaco Joint Stock Company

3. Southeast Asia Commercial Joint Stock Bank

Category "Gender Equality through Community Engagement and Partnership":

1. Vietnam Airlines Corporation

2. Intel Products Vietnam Co., Ltd.

3. Olam Vietnam Company Limited

Category "Investment, creative funding for Gender Equality":

1. Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam

2. Secoin Construction Materials Joint Stock Company

Category for small and medium enterprises:

1. Gender equality in the workplace : Central College of Industry and Trade

2. Gender Equality through Community Engagement and Partnership : CAS Energy Co., Ltd.

3. Leaders committed to practicing gender equality : Mr. Tran Phong Lan - Chairman of the Board of Directors, DannyGreen Joint Stock Company

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/vinh-danh-17-doanh-nghiep-co-sang-kien-doi-moi-va-dong-gop-tich-cuc-thuc-day-binh-dang-gioi-20241128143304909.htm