Gender Equality and Sustainability

SDG5 Gender Equality

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Gender equality is integral to all dimensions of inclusive and sustainable development within the jewellery and watch industry. In short, a better, fairer world for all cannot be achieved without stakeholders from all levels of the supply chain coming together to generate meaningful change for women and girls around the world.

Promoting SDG 5 Gender Equality as part of RJC’s commitment to sustainable development

Taking action in the area of gender equality is even more urgent than ever as the COVID-19 pandemic has put the limited gains made in the past decades at risk. Across every sphere, the impacts of COVID-19 are felt much more acutely by women and girls. This is why RJC believes all members of the industry have a shared responsibility to change the way we do business and give women the resources they need to empower themselves.

How RJC Promotes Gender Equality

RJC has been promoting gender equality for over 15 years as part of its commitment to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Find out how we regularly get involved in generating awareness and meaningful change for women at all levels of the jewellery supply chain.

Tools & Resources

Get Involved

Sustainability is a complex issue and impactful change in the area of gender equality can only be achieved through collective action from all levels of the jewellery and watch supply chain. Find out what you can do to help create a better, fairer world – today and for future generations.

RJC believes all stakeholders have a shared responsibility to create more empowerment opportunities for women as gender equality cannot be achieved when women do not have the resources needed to empower themselves.

Iris Van der Veken, Executive Director Tweet

RJC Gender Equality Report

Reporting on Gender Equality in the Jewellery and Watch Industry

We strongly believe the time is now to accelerate action on the ground to advance gender equality. That is why the RJC started the ‘Generation Equality SDG 5 in Action’ Dialogue in collaboration with CIBJO. This report shares the results of this stakeholder engagement and makes recommendations for next steps.

As we start to build a global partnership of gender equality pioneers in our industry, we have the opportunity to benefit from the leadership of several organisations already doing important work to raise awareness in the area and motivate leaders to act.

A special thank you to so many different voices around the table who have embarked on this journey in preparing this first report, UN WOMEN, United Nations Global Compact, IMPACT, World Diamond Council, Women’s Jewelry Association, BSR and many of our RJC members. We cannot wait. We must already plan how we can ‘build back better’ for women and girls across the world. We are counting on your leadership and support.

Generation Equality - SDG 5 in Action

Gender Equality Leadership Group

This ongoing collaborative project between RJC and a wide range of partners, such as the Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) and the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO), was created to promote the importance of private sector action to advance gender equality. The working group has implemented a platform for information sharing through a series of global and regional roundtables, workshops and training sessions, thus facilitating the exchange of ideas on how to further accelerate progress on gender equality.

#generationequality

Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs)

RJC is a proud signatory of the UN’s Women’s Empowerment Principles, a platform featuring a global network of companies working to advance gender equality in the workplace, marketplace and community.

RJC 2021 Progress Report - A Year of Collective Action

The 2021 RJC Progress Report aims to leverage insights from stakeholders throughout the jewellery and watch supply chain and set a baseline understanding of the industry’s status in the area of gender equality. It also provides a clear roadmap for companies to put SDG 5 Gender Equality at the core of their business management practices. Take the first step on your sustainability journey.

RJC Code of Practices

RJC is setting standards for what equality should look like for the jewellery and watch industry. The RJC Code of Practices (COP) is closely aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and SDG 5 Gender Equality, ensuring all RJC members are committed to creating meaningful change for women and girls.

Gender Equality Events and Webinars

RJC regularly hosts gender equality events as part of its SDG monthly series, as well as webinars and training sessions. Register for an upcoming event today.

Watch Video Replays of Past Events

ASM Gender Impact Assessment Toolkit

Gender Equality in Artisanal Small-scale Mining (ASM)

Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) is a vital part of the global jewellery and watch industry. However, it is also an area where women are confined to low-paying jobs and face discrimination and gendered violence, as well as a lack of access to financing and resources.

Download IMPACT’s Gender Impact Assessment (GIA) Toolkit and help ensure ASM-related initiatives meaningfully help push gender equality forward.

Gender Equality Newsletters

All businesses have a role to play in promoting SDG 5 Gender Equality. Stay informed and discover how you can take action now through our RJC Gender Equality special edition newsletters.

Read past newsletters here:

Gender Equality Industry Reports

RJC is proud to work closely with like-minded organisations, all committed to the same goal – a better, fairer world for all. Read some of their findings here.

"The Agenda is in further progress"

If you’d like to find out how you can take action to accelerate progress in the area of gender equality, get in touch.