BPW InternationalEmpowered Women Leading Business

5th BPW Leadership SummitHarmonie Club New York City, New York

DAY 1: 1 March 2013

Strategic PartnershipsBringing the voice of women to business

Strategic PartnershipsBringing the voice of women to business

1.CBW - Commonwealth Business Women

2.IOE - International Organisation of Employers

3.The World Bank & IFC

4.ITC - International Trade Centre

5.WEConnect International

6.UN Global Compact Office, NY

IOE International Organisation of Employers

IOE International Organisation of Employers

Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland; established in 1920

‣151 national employers’ organisation members in 144 countriesNational peak business and industry groupsBPW International partnered as “Gender Expert”

IOE International Organisation of Employers

IOE International Organisation of Employers

‣ Two organisations bringing the voice of women to business.

‣ Meetings with Secretary General in Rio during RIO+20 and at ILO HQ in Geneva; MOU now in place to consider:

‣ 1. Jointly conducting research and developing policy guidance material, aligning resources and intelligence from our member networks with the aim to:

‣ develop gender-sensitive workplace policies and measures

‣ Provide sound and relevant policy guidance for employers around the world

‣ Becoming a strong and representative network at the international level

‣ 2. Jointly providing communication platforms to share best practices and create global awareness on emerging issues based on identified regional needs and gap areas:

‣ Webinars

‣ forums

‣ business networking

‣ associations

‣ workshops

‣ training material

‣ training sessions

The World Bank Group consists of five organizations which includes the International Finance Corporation.

‣The Director of Global Indicators & Analysis, Dr. Augusto Lopez-Claros oversees the project: Women, Business, and the Law.

‣The report shows that economies with greater legal differentiation between men and women have, on average, lower female participation in the formal labor force.

‣It measures such things as a woman’s legal capacity to sign a contract, travel abroad, manage property, and interact with public authorities and the private sector.

‣ finds that while 36 economies reduced legal differences between men and women, 103 out of 141 economies studied still impose legal differences on the basis of gender identifies 41 law and regulatory reforms enacted between June 2009 and March 2011 that could enhance women’s economic opportunities.

MOU with the IFC to:‣explore and leverage opportunities to partner in support of linking women business enterprises to new markets and business opportunities and financial institutions. discuss issues facing women in business, law and trade at national, regional and international BPW meetings

‣share IFC reports of significance to women in the workplace and advise the BPW International President on any new developments in research and policy regarding gender equity. collaborate in conversations, meetings, seminars, workshops and conferences alongside the World Bank.

RIO+20 AllianceRIO+20 Alliance

‣ New strategic alliance between the UN Global Compact, the International Trade Centre (ITC), WEConnect International and BPW International

‣ Reaffirms existing commitment to GPFA

Collaboration between BPW International and UNESCO Women & Peace Centre

‣Use of UNESCO networks‣Work for the interests of all women‣First meeting scheduled for 2013 with Women in the Balkan region

South East Europe Leadership CentreSouth East Europe Leadership Centre

UAE & GCC BPW International realises founder’s vision

UAE & GCC BPW International realises founder’s vision

New clubs being formed in the Middle East – the UAE:and GCC.  

UAE & Middle East BPW International realises founder’s vision

UAE & Middle East BPW International realises founder’s vision

‣ Strengthening the Arab Region.

‣ Building Businesses. Advancing Women

The business of BPW:Leading on all frontsThe business of BPW:Leading on all fronts

‣ Takes the economic arguments for change to the heart of the corporate world.

‣ Sharing best practices from companies that really understand what motivates women in the workplace and the marketplace.

‣ Optimising women’s talents to boost the bottom line.

‣ Taking action to achieve this will require sustained courage and conviction from today’s corporate leaders.

Equality Means Business

Equality Means Business

WEPs Vision for business in the 21st Century

WEPs Vision for business in the 21st Century

‣ Increase number of women in top management positions so that women and men work together

‣ Show companies how to make the transition from awareness of the existing situation to the implementation of change

‣ Integrate gender equality into companies’ core business and strategy

‣ A universal framework that empowers women in the workplace and by extension, in all areas of their lives by changing a predominantly male-oriented way of thinking

‣Solid foundation with strong vision and focus‣Integrated and improved reporting‣Leveraging global alliances‣Bringing New Opportunities to Members