Lagos, Nigeria

26 March 2022

Gardner Integrated Services Limited, a facilities maintenance company, on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, became the 57th Nigerian signatory of the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs). These are United Nations (UN) principles that provide guidance to businesses on how to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace, marketplace, and community.

Other companies include AKMS Consulting, Oyagbola Chambers, LifeBank, Zircon Marine Limited, MainOne, The Nanny Academy, Shell Nigeria Exploration & Production Company, Zigma Limited, Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, Wootlab Innovations, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Sahel Consulting Agriculture and Nutrition Ltd, Wema Bank Plc, Farmz2u Ltd, Eclipse Power Nig Limited, Greenstad Projects Limited, Gerund Synergy Limited, KUO Nigeria Limited, STEPHANIA SUPPORT SERVICES LTD, WINTECH INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS LIMITED, YD Limited, Geometric Power Limited, Laalfi Farms Nigeria Limited, Maklumy Technology Services Limited, Habiba Balogun Consulting, CreditWise Financials Limited, Fortem Empowerment Foundation MFI, Minerva Legal, Anthrop Management Limited, Disrupt DNA, Ace Renaissance Limited, Niche Consort Limited, Strategic Seeds Nig Ltd, Blossom Digital Prints Ltd, Deloitte & Touche Nigeria, Invcap Corporation, Wema Bank, Dedicated Vessels Limited, Inter-Bau Construction Limited, Etaercorp Limited, Center for Ethics and Sustainable Development, Schneider Electric Nigeria, AG Leventis, The Nigerian Stock Exchange, Finesse Consults Limited, Skye Bank Plc, Jurassic Homes and Properties Limited, First Bank of Nigeria Ltd, LiveWell Initiative LWI, Clintoy International Limited, Access Bank plc and Skats Leadership Development Consult, Ltd.

The UN Global Compact and UN Women formed the WEPs, which are informed by international labor and human rights standards and are based on the understanding that businesses have a stake in and responsibility for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

It is critical to increasing women’s representation in top decision-making positions in businesses and society at large. Nigerian women with few opportunities to contribute to the country’s growth and development create a void that must be filled. It is worthy of note that one out of every four women in Sub-Saharan Africa is a Nigerian.

Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous country, should be a forerunner among countries whose businesses are committed to women’s inclusion on the continent. 

While commenting on the recent developments, the Executive Director of the UN Global Compact Network Nigeria, Naomi Nwokolo extended her hearty commendations to the signatories and companies.

“We applaud all our companies for taking steps to implement gender-friendly policies and encourage new companies to join us in creating an equal world,” she added.

About The UN Global Compact Network Nigeria 

The United Nations Global Compact Network Nigeria is one of the 71 local networks (country office) of the UN Global Compact. 

Guided by The Ten Principles and the 17 SDGs, we support companies and stakeholders in understanding what responsible business means within a global and local context and provide guidance to translate sustainability commitments into action. The UN Global Compact Network Nigeria stimulates and facilitates the creation of local connections and serves as a catalyst to companies and stakeholders to achieve Agenda 2030.

For more information, follow @globalcompactng on social media and visit our website, www.unglobalcompactng.org.

About The Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs)

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.

Find answers to several FAQs here