Study on non-legislative initiatives for companies to promote gender ...

136 Gender equality initiatives
Table 3
Comparative assessment of non-legislative initiatives promoting gender equality
Which benefits
for the
enterprises are
emphasised? 1
How sustainable
is the initiative
with a view to
the promotion of
gender
equality?
Label Prize/award Charter Ranking/Index
Diagnosis of the
companies gender
policy and practice
External Consultancy to
improve organisation
(restructuring), tailored
solutions
Label as sign of
commitment for gender
equality (for internal and
external marketing)
Labelling is conceived
as a process targeting at
an organisational
change
Often recommendations
for further development
are given
Precondition for a new
labelling is often the
improvement of the
company’s equality
policy
“Gender equality plan” is
implemented
Broad marketing effects
(as normally awarding
ceremonies gain much
attention in the media)
The enterprise has
“nothing to loose”
The prize in itself is not
sustainable, but often the
existence of a sustainable
gender equality policy is
an assessment criteria
Possibility of emphasising
the enterprise’s principles
Be part in a network
Public image as proactive
and forward-looking
organisation
As the principles of the
charter should represent
the principles of the
enterprise’s (gender
equality) policy the signing
of the charter should entail
the sustainable
commitment to the
charter’s principles with
implications for the
organisation’s
development
Judgement is seen to be
objective as initiative
and assessment from
external organisation
wide media echo
Worst ranked
enterprises gain
negative publicity and
could be driven to
change their practice
Compendium of
good practice
Described
enterprises gain
publicity
Practice on how to
implement gender
equality is
illustrated for other
enterprises
Describes the
status quo