Ring the Bell for Gender Equality 2019

For the fifth year running, the WFE partnered with the IFC, Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) Initiative, UN Global Compact, UN Women and Women in ETFs to promote and raise awareness about the ‘Ring the Bell for Gender Equality’ initiative. This event saw 85 exchanges around the world ring their opening or closing bells to celebrate International Women’s Day 2019, which was celebrated on Friday 8 March 2019. As part of this worldwide event, the partners and participants highlighted the business case for women’s economic empowerment and the opportunities for the private sector to advance gender equality and sustainable development.

The UN Women’s theme for International Women’s Day 2019 was ‘Think equal, build smart, innovate for change’. The theme focused on innovative ways in which the private sector can advance gender equality and women’s empowerment, particularly in the areas of social protection systems, access to public services, and sustainable infrastructure.

In addition to the bell ringing events, the six bell ringing partner organisations applauded the work done to date, and encouraged exchanges to take further action to improve gender equality in their markets. Recommended actions included signing the CEO Statement of Support for the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs); promoting gender equality in the workforce; introducing gender equality standards and supporting gender-equality themed investment products; providing guidance, training, mentoring, and education to market participants on gender equality and the role of gender diversity in business performance; and encouraging or requiring listed companies to publicly report on relevant gender metrics.

In March 2018, a record 65 exchanges rang their bells for gender equality, and this year saw that number rise even higher with 85 exchanges confirming their participation, including many WFE members.

WFE members that participated this year:

For more information about Ring the Bell for Gender Equality 2019, read our full press release here.