Gender equality

Women and girls face violence (for example, at least 200 million have been subjected to female genital mutilation) and an unfair playing field (for example, women are paid on average 35-40% less than men for the same position, and only ~35% of global managers are women) around the world. Insufficient progress on structural issues at the root of gender inequality -- such as legal discrimination, decision-making on sexual and reproductive issues, and low levels of political participation -- continue to undermine the ability to achieve gender equity. Significantly more action is needed, including from corporations. Companies can lead on creating gender equality across many areas, including through the benefits they offer employees (such as parental leave and women mentorship), hiring practices and non-discrimination policies, public commitments to achieve gender pay and career equity, human rights policies (including for women's rights) and supplier human rights requirements, and involvement in local communities around the globe