The Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) are a set of Principles offering guidance to business on how to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace, marketplace and community. Established by UN Global Compact and UN Women, the WEPs are informed by international labour and human rights standards and grounded in the recognition that businesses have a stake in, and a responsibility for, gender equality and women’s empowerment.

WEPs are a primary vehicle for corporate delivery on gender equality dimensions of the 2030 agenda and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. By joining the WEPs community, the CEO signals commitment to this agenda at the highest levels of the company and to work collaboratively in multistakeholder networks to foster business practices that empower women. These include equal pay for work of equal value, gender-responsive supply chain practices and zero tolerance against sexual harassment in the workplace.

Learn more about the Women’s Empowerment Principles at https://www.weps.org

 

The Women’s Empowerment Principles were launched on 9 March 2010 in celebration of International Women’s Day at a day-long conference in New York for the private sector, civil society and Government to explore the application of the Principles in various contexts.  In brief, the Principles are:

1. Establish high-level corporate leadership for gender equality;

2. Treat all women and men fairly at work – respect and support human rights and nondiscrimination;

3. Ensure the health, safety and well-being of all women and men workers;

4. Promote education, training and professional development for women;

5. Implement enterprise development, supply chain and marketing practices that empower women;

6. Promote equality through community initiatives and advocacy; and

7. Measure and publicly report on progress to achieve gender equality.

Women’s Empowerment Principles in Aotearoa New Zealand

The NZ WEPS Committee is a coalition of four organisations, UN Women Aotearoa NZ, New Zealand Federation of Business and Professional Women, New Zealand Human Rights Commission and Zonta International District 16 that promote and champion the Women’s Empowerment Principles throughout
New Zealand.

We aim to show the companies that have not already embraced the Principles that their businesses will be enhanced through employing more women at all levels and in all sectors of their organisation.

White Camellia Awards

To celebrate the work of the Women’s Empowerment Principles signatories, we celebrate White Camellia Awards.

Find out more

Aotearoa New Zealand WEPs Signatories

As at 2021 there are approximately 33 WEPs signatories in Aotearoa NZ who enjoy the full benefits of being a global signatory.

There are also a further 32 organisations in Aotearoa NZ who are supporters of the Women’s Empowerment Principles.

Interested in joining the Women’s Empowerment Principles?

In order to become a signatory of the WEPs, visit https://www.weps.org/join

If you would like assistance in facilitating this process you can contact weps@unwomen.org.nz

The NZ WEPS Committee is a coalition of four organisations, UN Women Aotearoa NZ, New Zealand Federation of Business and Professional Women, New Zealand Human Rights Commission and Zonta International District 16 that promote and champion the Women’s Empowerment Principles throughout
New Zealand.

Organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand who are Women’s Empowerment Principles Global Signatories

Organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand who are supporters of the Women’s Empowerment Principles