Catalyzing Gender Equality across Africa

In a significant stride towards gender equality in business leadership across Africa, twelve companies hailing from Mauritius, Morocco, and the Democratic Republic of Congo have successfully graduated from the Africa Track of the Accelerator program Target Gender Equality. Led by the United Nations Global Compact and facilitated by local experts, this initiative aims to catalyze actionable steps towards fulfilling Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5.5 and SDG 8.5 by 2030.

SDG 5.5 underscores the importance of equal representation, participation, and leadership of women in business, while SDG 8.5 aspires to achieve equal pay for work of equal value. The program provides a structured framework for businesses to translate these aspirations into tangible realities within their organizational structures and operational landscapes.

Throughout the program, participating companies had exclusive access to a comprehensive learning program through the Academy, supplemented by invaluable insights from local experts who facilitated five live sessions per month. These sessions not only served as platforms for knowledge exchange but also fostered networking opportunities and the sharing of best practices among participating organizations.

Utilizing the WEP Gender Gap Analysis, companies were empowered to assess their current performance on gender equality and develop tailored action plans to advance the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEP) within their respective organizations and broader ecosystems across Africa.

Fanilo RAKOTOVAO RAKOTOARISON, Impact Social Director at AXIAN Group, Madagascar, highlighted the program's significance, stating, "The skills development of its 7500 employees is a central focus within the AXIAN group, which strives for excellence and aims to be a true champion in terms of impact and sustainability on the African continent. The Group particularly encourages training to achieve specific objectives and realize our ambitions in that matter. Through the 'Target Gender Equality' training, I had the opportunity to share common concerns, best practices, and a variety of guides, thus enhancing my ability to advocate the principle that gender equity is an indispensable imperative for any significant progress in sustainable development, and to become a real game changer."

Looking ahead, the registration for the 2024-2025 edition of the Accelerator program is now open, offering businesses across Africa the opportunity to join this transformative journey towards gender equality in the business landscape. To apply for the program and be a part of this impactful initiative, interested parties can click here