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

Gender equality initiatives 81
2) The documentation of the survey on the gender representation in the management
of Danish Media enterprises is taken into consideration in nominating candidates.
3) The reward/reproach is awarded on the basis of coherent reasoning and arguments.
4) The presentation of the reproach takes the importance of the media enterprise into
consideration, aims at highlighting possible double standards (whether conscious or
unconscious), should spark debate and increase the chances for more women in top
management in the short term.
Women in specific sectors / sectors traditionally dominated by men
There are ten prizes awarding companies which explicitly support women in sectors
where they are underrepresented, including technology, IT, science, research and
finance. It is interesting to note that especially the United Kingdom and Austria have
prizes covering this thematic issue.
In the United Kingdom, there are four awards covering different sectors of the economy
being traditionally “male” dominated. The “GCS Women in IT Award” recognises the
efforts of organisations which enhance opportunities in IT roles. It mainly addresses
organisations having a large number of employees. Furthermore, the “Working Families
and UKRC Women in SET Award” is specifically designed for employers in science,
engineering, technology and the built environment who understand and are addressing
the issues and work-life balance barriers faced by women who are underrepresented in
this sector. The prize is implemented by the UK Resource Centre for Women in
Science, Engineering and Technology. Another prize which is planned to be coming
into existence is the “UKRC Quality Mark” which will be launched in late 2009. The
purpose of the prize is to help organisations (enterprises, research councils, institutes
etc.) to make progress towards good gender equality practice for women in science,
engineering and technology. Participating organisations are expected to have management
commitments to gender equality, equitable recruitment, pay and promotional
processes and evidence of social responsibility in practice.
Furthermore, the United Kingdom has a prize called “Investor in WISE award” which
is implemented by the organisation WISE (women into science, engineering and
construction). WISE was founded in 1984 following a call by the Engineering Council
for more girls to consider an engineering career. Among others, the main aims of WISE
is to promote science, engineering, technology (SET) and construction as suitable
career choices for girls and women and to encourage young women of 19 and under to
value and pursue science, engineering, technology, maths or construction related
courses in school or college. WISE collaborates with government, educators, industry
and the armed forces in those objectives and innovates and pilots models, tools and
approaches. The investor in WISE Award is made to a national company or organisation
most supportive of WISE and the promotion of women in science, engineering and
construction in the UK.