SDG 5 Gender Equality
RJC on Gender Equality
The year 2020, marking the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, was intended to be ground-breaking for gender equality. Instead, with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic even the limited gains made in the past decades are at risk of being rolled back. The pandemics deepening pre-existing inequalities, exposing vulnerabilities in social, political and economic systems which are in turn amplifying the impacts of the pandemic. Across every sphere, from health to the economy, security to social protection, the impacts of COVID-19 are exacerbated for women and girls simply by virtue of their sex. (Source: UN Policy Brief – The Impact of COVID-19 on Women)
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.
We are actively involved in promoting women empowerment as part of our commitment to the UN’s Sustainable Development goals (SDGs).
SDG 5 gender equality is integral to all dimensions of inclusive and sustainable development. In short, all of the SDGs depend on the achievement of SDG 5.
Find out how we regularly get involved in promoting awareness and generating meaningful change for women and girls at all levels of the jewellery supply chain
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.
SDG 5 Leadership Roundtable
As part of our SDG 5 Gender Equality in action series, the RJC in collaboration with BSR will be hosting four Regional Roundtable’s on Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion in the last two weeks of April 2020. During these roundtable’s we will be exploring the importance of private sector action to promote gender-equality and create more respectful and inclusive workplaces for all. We will explore why the issue of diversity and inclusion is relevant, how companies can action across value chains, but most importantly, we will create a shared space for cross-sharing and learning across participants. This will be an opportunity to share the most pressing issues and challenges you are facing when it comes to this issue, innovative programs you have seen put forward over time, key insights and learnings about on-the ground experiences, and to be able to understand where and how the RJC can support you and advance your efforts.
If you are interested in more information, please contact: generationequality@responsiblejewellery.com
RJC Code of Practices
RJC has integrated a gender lens to various provisions – some which more intuitively or directly address gender equality (such as non-discrimination, or the suggestions we have put forward for community development) and others that may not be necessarily so obvious as to why women are in more vulnerable situations, such as working hours, where we call out the right to paid maternity leave and flexible working hours and arrangements. We aim to create a business environment where all women are considered equal, setting standards for what equality should look like in the industry. The RJC Code of Practices show how RJC COP provisions are mapped to the SDGs, including SDG 5.
RJC Progress Report
We are firmly committed to measurable action. Our report provides clear findings on the progress made by RJC and its 1,300 members organisations across global markets. We drive continuous improvement through promotion and practical guidance for organisations worldwide on how to integrate responsible business practices directly related to Agenda 2030, the SDGs and specifically SDG 5 Gender Equality.
Commitment to the UN’s Women Empowerment Principles
RJC has signed the UN’s Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) as part of its commitment to promoting gender equality and women empowerment in the workplace, marketplace and community. The WEPs are underpinned by international labour standards and human rights, as well as the recognition that all organisations have an important role to play.
Gender Equality in Artisanal Small-scale Mining (ASM)
Artisanal and small-scale miners are a vital part of the global jewellery and watch industry. Approximately 42 million people are engaged in ASM around the world, 30% of which are women. But women in ASM are often confined to the low paying jobs and are absent from decision-making. They disproportionately face discrimination and gendered violence and too often lack access to financing and resources.
This is a complex issue and sometimes, well-intentioned programmes can have the opposite effect.
How can we make sure ASM-related initiatives meaningfully help women and gender equality?
IMPACT has published the first ever Gender Impact Assessment to be tailored specifically for the ASM sector. It has been developed over the course of IMPACT’s work in Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda and includes strategic tools to support teams who create projects and policies to improve experiences and outcomes in the ASM sector.
Download the GIA Toolkit
The toolkit offers 14 strategic tools, including a Gender Impact Matrix and Gender Equality Continuum, and details seven key steps—from data collection to power mapping—to achieving a comprehensive Gender Impact Assessment for ASM-related initiatives.
The full spectrum of the GIA Toolkit’s application includes ASM-related programs, processes, policies, legislation, laws, interventions, and regulations. Potential users would include civil society, philanthropists, government departments/agencies, and the private sector.
Events and Webinars
The RJC hosts a monthly series of SDG-related events, of which SDG 5 Gender Equality has featured twice in collaboration with the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC).
Register for Upcoming Events
Generation Equality Roundtable Series
Generation Equality – SDG 5 in Action
How we as the jewellery and watch industry can accelerate progress in our companies, supply chains, and communities.
As part of our SDG 5 Gender Equality in action series, the RJC would like to invite you to our Regional Roundtable’s on Gender, Diversity and Inclusion to be held in the last two weeks of April 2021. During these roundtable’s we will be exploring the importance of private sector action to promote gender-equality and create more respectful and inclusive workplaces for all. We will explore why the issue of diversity and inclusion is relevant, how companies can action across value chains, but most importantly, we will create a shared space for cross-sharing and learning across participants. We want to hear from you, about the most pressing issues and challenges you are facing when it comes to this issue, innovative programs you have seen put forward over time, key insights and learnings about on-the ground experiences, to be able to understand where and how the RJC can support you and advance your efforts.
A detailed agenda will be shared with you closer to the event. We look forward to connecting with you all.
Save the date:
- North America: Tue 20 April 2021 / 12:00 EST / 9:00 PST / 17:00 BST
- Europe: Wed 21 April 2021 / 14:00 BST / 15:00 EST
- Asia: Tue 27 April 2021 / 17:00 HKT / 14:30 Mumbai / 12:00 Russia / 10:00 BST
- Africa: Wed 28 April 2021 / 12:00 CAT / 11:00 BST
Video Replays of Past Events
Informational Newsletters
The Gender equality special edition RJC newsletter was shared with over 4,500 stakeholders to promote the role all businesses can play in achieving gender equality. We encourage our members to sign up to the WEPs. View the newsletters here for more information on how to get involved:
All businesses have a role to play in pushing forward SDG 5 Gender Equality. The time to act is now.
Contact us at generationequality@responsiblejewellery.com
Interesting Reports
BSR: Women in the Jewelry Supply Chain
UNGC: 2020 Trends and Opportunities
NUPI: The impact of Covid-19 on the Women, Peace and Security Agenda
UNICEF: Five Actions for Gender Equality in the COVID-19 Response
McKinsey: Women in the Workplace
UN Women: Annual Report 2019/2020
