Launch of the Male Allyship for Gender Equality Learning Tool from the UN Global Compact

A recording of these remarks can be found on YouTube and Tencent

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon.

I start by wishing all the fathers present a happy Father’s Day this weekend. 

It is crucial to recognize the key role that men play in supporting family life, raising children, promoting gender equality, and empowering women economically. 

I am glad that we are gathered today for the launch of the “Male Allyship for Gender Equality” Learning Tool from the United Nations Global Compact Academy and to kick off a new round of the Target Gender Equality Accelerator. 

2024 is a pivotal year in our journey to realize gender equality and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, marking the second half of our path towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. 

Sadly, progress on only 15% of the Sustainable Development Goals is on track, with 85% of the Sustainable Development Goals falling behind, and over 30% even going into reverse. 

Meanwhile, as we approach 2025, the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, it is also time to review our progress and remaining challenges on gender equality and women empowerment. 

Here, the Government of China has proposed to hold another Global Leaders' Meeting on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in 2025 to share China’s progress and experiences with the world. 

Today, we also meet to reflect on our past experiences and lessons, and accelerate collective efforts towards the realization of the 2030 Agenda with the full participation of relevant stakeholders, including business leaders and changemakers such as yourselves. 

The business community, as an engine of innovation, economic growth, investment, and job creation, plays a crucial role in promoting gender equality, diversity and inclusion.

Globally, we have seen some progress, from expanded employment opportunities for women driven by the growth of the digital economy to enhanced awareness of gender equality prompted by evolving Environmental, Social, and Governance disclosure requirements and investors’ concerns. 

Chinese businesses have also stood to benefit from the broader participation of women in the workplace. 

According to the 2023 Sustainable Development Goals Index, over 60% of women in China participate in the labour force, above the global average. 

Recent advancements in poverty reduction and reducing inequalities made by China could not have been achieved without the economic empowerment of women.

The continuous development of policies and strategic planning at the national level is helping to create an enabling environment, raising awareness of gender equality in the workplace. 

In 2022, the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Protection of Women’s Rights and Interests was revised, with added and refined requirements on equal employment, special labour protection, and sexual harassment prevention, putting forward higher standards for management.

However, let us not lose sight of the challenges that persist. 

The latest report on Women, Business, and Law released by the World Bank found that nowhere in the world do women have the same legal rights as men in all of the indicators measured. 

Women's underrepresentation in management positions, coupled with the persistent gender pay gap, underscores the hurdles we face.

One of the major challenges lies in the fact that very few businesses truly incorporate gender equality, diversity and inclusion into their strategic planning systematically. 

The level of investment and resources in gender equality and the effect of mainstreaming Sustainable Development Goals 5 within corporate management remains relatively low. 

To turn the tables, support from top management and strategic perspectives is crucial. 

Achieving gender equality is not just a women's issue but one that concerns everyone. 

On this year’s International Women’s Day, the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said, “Gender equality is the strong foundation of the entire 2030 Agenda – from ending poverty to securing peace.”

However, if we are to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, business leaders – the majority of whom are male – must drive the actions needed towards gender equality from a strategic level.

Business leaders must mobilize their peers along the value chain to create a collective impact and set examples in supporting working parents while preventing harassment and allowing more women to break the glass ceiling, among other measures.

In this context, we welcome you to become a male ally in promoting gender equality.

As decision-makers or employees in your institutions, there is significant business value in fostering diversity and inclusion in the workplace. 

Businesses can play a crucial role in establishing family-friendly workplaces and providing fair, safe, and healthy work environments for male and female employees. 

Studies show that companies with diverse teams experience higher annual returns and stock performance, attract more top talent, mitigate better against management risks, and achieve higher retention rates. 

In this context, I am pleased to see today’s launch of the "How to be a Male Ally for Gender Equality" learning tool from the United Nations Global Compact. 

I recommend that you and your male colleagues and peers take up this learning opportunity. 

By understanding how to advocate for diversity and inclusion in the workplace, both as an employee of a company and as an individual, we can all better contribute to gender equality, fostering progress and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Today also marks the launch of the 2024 Target Gender Equality Accelerator, its third year of operation in China. 

With more than 80 companies participating in this capacity-building programme, it is encouraging to see businesses engage in this process, and we welcome more male representatives to join us. 

As the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative, the United Nations Global Compact has actively supported its participating companies in capacity building, thought leadership, sustainability actions, and community building in China and globally.

So, I call on more companies to join the United Nations Global Compact and their Accelerator programs. 

I look forward to your positive contributions to move us forward towards the 2030 Agenda. 

Together, let’s invest in gender equality, turbocharge progress, and build a better world for all.

Thank you, I wish you all an inspiring event.