Nabw, UN Women for equality in private sector

National Association for Business Women (Nabw) and the United Nations (UN) Women will today in Blantyre launch the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) in Blantyre, where private sector companies are expected to sign their commitment to the promotion of gender.

WEPs are a global set of seven principles offering guidance on how to empower women at the workplace, marketplace and community.

In an interview, Nabw national coordinator Chiku Gondwe said the principles emphasise corporate action in gender equality and women empowerment promotion.

“Malawi is making some progress in gender equality in the private sector, but more can be done. For instance, we visited 70 companies where only two were headed by female chief executive officers (CEOs). You will note that at the small-scale business level, more women than men engage in businesses,” she said.

UN Women senior adviser Helen Buluma said the private sector needs to be engaged in promoting gender.

Among others, the principles call for establishment of high-level corporate leadership for gender equality, equal treatment of women and men at work, ensure men and women’s health, safety and well-being, promotion of education and training for women.