United Nations Development Programme and Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry on 20 May signed a memorandum of understanding to provide a framework of cooperation that will facilitate and strengthen collaboration between the UNDP and GCCI for the pilot and roll out of the Genger Equality Seal project for private sector in The Gambia.
UNDP in a statement today said the GES Certification Programme will support and guide the private sector’s delivery and compliance to gender equality principles by establishing standards that promote gender equality and the empowerment of women.
“Implementing the GES will also help in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals. The CEO GCCI Mr. Alieu Secka urges the private sector in the Gambia to rise up and implement,” according to the UNDP statement.
Launched by national governments with support from UNDP, the Gender Equality Seal Certification Programme assists public and private institutions to ensure that their workplaces are fair and equitable, for a productive and innovative workforce, while enhancing efficiency and promoting accountability – with higher rates of women in non-traditional sectors and leadership roles.
The Gender Equality seal was developed in collaboration with the private sector and governments to create certification incentives when commitments towards gender equality are met. Piloted in Latin America, with certifications for over 600 companies and 1,900 branches in 14 countries since 2009, a global roll-out of the programme has provided support and acknowledgement to actors working to close the gender gap.
From November 2018, UNDP Africa rolled out the Gender Equality Seal Programme to help professionals gain expert knowledge and implement policies, aimed at harnessing the benefits of the certification programme in public and private institutions. The Gambia, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Burundi, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda and South Africa are among the first cohort of countries to take part in capacity development for the Gender Equality Seal Programme, with support from UNDP.
To date, over 1,700 public and private companies are engaged in the implementation of the programme and 400 companies have been certified.
These companies have reaped a number of benefits, including but not necessarily limited to: a more just & equitable Work Environment; greater efficiency and staff performance; enhanced public image and brand loyalty; enhanced employee competence and commitment; reduced staff turnover; [and] greater accountability and transparency in institutions.
The Gambia Government made a commitment to support the implementation of the Gender Equality Seal (GES) for the Private sector in The Gambia in December 2016. The Private Sector Gender Equality Seal is to be piloted in 7 private companies in The Gambia including Africell and TAF Global. The GCCI acts as the lead institution for the Gender Equality Seal for Private Sector Programme and is also one of the pilot companies.
