Private sector pioneers recognized for gender equality action

Three businesses were recognized for their efforts to promote women’s empowerment and gender equality at an awards ceremony organized by Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Georgia in cooperation with UN Women.

Thirty-two companies took part in the Business for Gender Equality Competition, held for the second year in a row, on 9 March 2017 in Tbilisi. The competition and awards ceremony recognizes companies that have taken action and achieved positive results in removing barriers to women’s participation in the labour market, promoting women’s access to and positions in male-dominated fields, and providing training and professional development opportunities for women, including marginalized groups of women. The competition builds on the joint UN Women/UN Global Compact Women’s Empowerment Principles and especially promotes the fourth principle, which focuses on training and professional development for women.

The awards ceremony took place on 9 March 2017 in Tbilisi. In his opening remarks, Nicholas Berliner, Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy, stated: “There is much to be proud of when it comes to promotion of gender equality in Georgia, but clearly much more has to be done. I hope to see many more women in leading positions in the public and private sector in Georgia in the coming years, and the business case is clear; it has been shown again and again that businesses that include women in a meaningful way are more successful.”

The three awarded companies included the telecommunications company Geocell, recognized for its holistic approach to gender equality. Dio, which produces doors and windows among other products, was recognized for their support to vulnerable and marginalized groups of women. Finally, Black Sea University was recognized for their efforts to promote women’s participation in non-traditional and male-dominated fields. 

Tinatin Nadareishvili, Ethics and Compliance Manager of Geocell, upon receiving the prize declared: “Geocell tries to promote gender equality internally as well as in the wider society. Yesterday, on International Women’s Day, we signed the Women’s Empowerment Principles and are now inspired to work even harder for promoting women’s rights and empowerment.”

Erika Kvapilova, UN Women Country Representative, closed the event reiterating that much remains to be done to achieve gender equality but stressed: “It is extremely encouraging for us to see such strong support for gender equality in the business community in Georgia. You, as business leaders, have tremendous possibilities to economically empower women, prevent discrimination and harassment in the labour market and promote the sustainable and just development of the country.”