-01.png){kind=small}
*Translations are unofficial and provided by Google translate
What are the WEPs?
The Women’s Empowerment Principles are a set of 7 Principles, for business offering guidance on how to empower women in the workplace, marketplace and community.
They are grounded in the recognition that businesses have a stake in, and a responsibility for, gender equality and women’s empowerment. Gender equality is more than just a moral responsibility. It is also great for business.
Jointly promulgated by UN Women and the UN Global Compact, there are now nearly 9,500 CEO-level signatories from across the globe.
The Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) are a primary vehicle for corporate delivery
on gender equality dimensions of the 2030 agenda and the United Nations Sustainable
Development Goals. WEPs signatories therefore stand in solidarity with the United Nations to
end gender inequality in the workplace, marketplace and community.
Click here to find more resources about how the WEPs helps companies and leaders strengthen their business.
What is expected of a WEPs signatory?
The CEO signs the CEO Statement of Support for the WEPs and thereby signals commitment
at the highest level of the company to foster business culture and practices that advance
gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Signing the WEPs is just the first step. Companies are encouraged to take steps to turn their
commitments into action and to monitor and report on their progress and to work collaboratively
in multi-stakeholder networks. All signatories are encouraged to make their WEPs commitment
visible. There are many benefits to doing so. Consumers, workers, investors and shareholders will
know that your company has made it a business priority to achieve the highest standards
of gender equality and women’s empowerment.
UN Women stands ready to offer support, guidance and capacity building to help companies
make the promise of the WEPs into a reality.
Who can join the WEPs Community?
Companies (private, public, state-owned and cooperatives) of any size and industry,
established under national law, industry associations and chambers of commerce committed
to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace, marketplace
and community are invited to join the WEPs community.
We also welcome other partners and stakeholders, such as civil society, international organizations,
academia and governments, to join our efforts as allies and to embrace the WEPs as a framework
for dialogue and action that advance gender equality and women’s empowerment. Read the WEPs FAQ for additional eligibility questions.
How to Become a Signatory
Joining the WEPs requires two actions from your side:
1. The company or organization’s CEO/President signs the CEO Statement of Support.
2. You submit an online application form.
Once completed and submitted, you will receive an automatic email confirming your submission. Please note that your company is only considered a WEPs signatory when your application has been approved. Please allow 10-15 business days for your application to be processed. When approved, you will receive another email confirming that your company’s application has been approved and welcoming your organization to the WEPs community.
Learn more about the WEPs here and use this How To Guide to complete the online application.