Sustainable investing in a nutshell - Gender equality

Sustainable investing in a nutshell - Gender equality

In our first in a series – Sustainable Investing in a nutshell – we take a quick look at Gender equality, and how businesses can benefit from gender balance.
The number of female CEOs in the Fortune 500 hit an all-time high in 2020 with 37 of the companies being led by women, as compared to 33 the previous year.^[i]
As promising as it seems, this statistic cannot disguise the harsh reality: gender inequality persists, both at work and at home. In spite of the progress we have made in recent decades, we have yet to achieve gender equality.

For example, women make up only 16% of board members in the top 500 multinational companies[^ii] and women in the EU earned on average 14.1% less per hour than men in 2018^[iii]
It is important to remember that gender equality is a fundamental human right, and we believe it is crucial to achieving an egalitarian, prosperous, and sustainable society.

Principle 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals is especially dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. Its objective is to end all forms of discrimination against women by 2030, particularly those in the workplace.

Recognising the Value of Gender Balance

Companies are increasingly recognising the value of gender balance.
By advancing gender equality, we believe a company can improve its competitiveness, image and reputation. By diversifying their gender balance, companies may enhance their ability to serve an increasingly diverse customer base. Finally, in some countries, recognising gender equality allows companies to comply with their regulatory obligations: in France and Spain for instance, there are both civil and criminal remedies and penalties for non-compliance with gender equality.

Today, a person’s gender should no longer be seen by companies as a hindrance, but rather an asset.

Visit us next week, where we will explore water scarcity, as part of our series “Sustainable investing in a nutshell”.

Source:
[i] The number of female CEOs in the Fortune 500 hits an all-time record, Fortune, May 18, 2020
[ii] What big data can tell us about women on boards, OECD, March 2020
[iii] 2020 factsheet on the gender pay gap, European Commission

 
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
 Unless otherwise stated, all information contained in this document is from Amundi Asset Management and is as of 8^th November 2021.

“The number of female CEO’s in the Fortune 500 hit an all-time high in 2020 and with 37 of the companies being led by women, as compared to 33 the previous year.’
The number of female CEOs in the Fortune 500 hits an all-time record, Fortune, May 18, 2020
‘Women make up 16% of board members in the top 500 multinational companies.’
What big data can tell us about women on boards, OECD, March 2020
‘Women in the EU earned on average 14.1% less per hour than men in 2018.’
2020 factsheet on the gender pay gap, European Commission

This video is for information purposes only. This material does not constitute an offer to buy or a solicitation to see any units of any investment fund of any services. The exactness, exhaustiveness or relevance of the information provided is not guaranteed even though the information was derived from sources that are reputed to be reliable by Amundi. It is not permitted to copy, modify, translate or distribute the video without the prior approval of Amundi. The information provided in the video is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person or entity in  any country or jurisdiction where to do so would be contrary to law or regulation or which would subject Amundi or its affiliated companies to any registration requirement within these jurisdictions. Not all products or services are necessarily registered or authorized for sale in all jurisdictions or authorized for sale in all jurisdictions or available to all investors.

Amundi Asset Management, French “societe par actions simplifee” – SAS with capital of 1 086 262 605 euros – Portfolio Management Company approved by the AMF under number GP 04000036 Registered office: 90, boulevard Pasteur – 75015 Paris – France. Postal Address: 90, boulevard Pasteur CS21564 75730 Paris Cedex 15 – France Phone + 33(0)143233030 Siren :437574452 RCS Paris. Siret : 43757445200029 Code APE : 6630 Z VAT identification No. :FR58437574452

Date of First Use: 22 November 2021