This week’s SoroptiVoice blog comes from
Patti Dolan a member of SI Calgary, Alberta Canada and past Western Canada
Region Governor. Patti is a senior financial
advisor that specialises in Socially Responsible Investing. She serves on Social Investment Organisation
board of directors and is member of the advisory group for OIKO Credit Canada
West.
The global financial crisis of 2008 is still
affecting the global economy. The recent
protests in Europe and North America “Occupy Wall Street” are a chorus of
disapproval of the financial mismanagement of governments and corporations
throughout the world. What can we do as
individuals, and particularly as women, to ensure there is change?
Our choices are one freedom that we do
have – especially our consumer choices
which have financial impact. The way we
invest, and the companies we invest in, can be aligned with our personal
values. Companies that address the environment,
their impact on the community and are transparent in managing their business are
most likely to be good corporate citizens.
In June 2004, Calvert Investments along with the
United National Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) launched the Calvert Women’s
Principles. These principles provide
companies a set of goals they can aspire to and measure their progress by. Investors can use these principles as a guide
for corporate performance on gender equality issues.
1.
Employment
and Compensation:
Corporations will take concrete
steps to attain gender equality by adopting and implementing employment policies and practices
that eliminate gender discrimination in areas such as recruitment, hiring,
pay, and promotion.
2.
Work-life
Balance and Career Development
Corporations
will take concrete steps to attain gender equality by adopting, implementing,
and promoting policies and practices that enable work-life balance and support
educational, career, and vocational development.
3.
Health,
Safety and Freedom from Violence
Corporations will take concrete
steps to attain gender equality by adopting and implementing policies to secure the health, safety, and
well-being of women workers
4.
Management
and Governance
Corporations will take concrete steps to attain
gender equality by adopting and implementing policies to ensure equitable
participation in management and governance.
5.
Business,
Supply Chain and Marketing Practices
Corporations
will take concrete steps to attain gender equality by adopting and implementing non-discriminatory business, supply chain, contracting, and marketing policies
and practices.
6.
Civic and
Community Engagement
Corporations
will take concrete steps to attain gender equality by adopting and implementing
policies to promote equitable participation in civic life and eliminate all
forms of discrimination and exploitation.
7.
Transparency
and Accountability
Corporations
will take concrete steps to attain gender equality in operations and in
business and stakeholder relationships by adopting and implementing policies
that are publicly disclosed, monitored, and enforced.
To read more about Calvert Women’s Principles
visit http://www.calvert.com/womensprinciples.html