Worldwide, the recognition of gender equality and related issues is growing, with businesses playing a crucial role in advancing this social change. As a strong proponent of gender equality and corporate social responsibility, Leverage has consistently woven these values into its corporate culture and business practices.   On September 5, 2024, Ms. Zhang Yinjie, General Manager of Leverage, is honored to be invited to attend the UN Global Compact's Gender Equality Ambassador event.

The meeting began with a dynamic address by Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Director General of the United Nations Global Compact, emphasizing the critical role of gender equality in fostering sustainable business growth. Next, Ms. Griet Cattaert, Senior Representative of the United Nations Global Compact, provided a detailed overview of gender equality objectives and discussed future opportunities.

Following this, Ms. Salma Houerbi, Senior Manager of the United Nations Global Compact, moderated an expert roundtable discussion on gender equality. This session featured distinguished experts, including the head of the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles Secretariat, a high-level representative from Equimundo, and the Director of Engagement and Communication at the World Benchmark Alliance. The discussion focused on gender equality practices, challenges, and innovative strategies.

Ms. Yara Abu Karam from Riwal Group shared her success stories and insights from her involvement in the "Gender Equality Goal" corporate accelerator. She discussed effective methods for implementing gender equality strategies and offered practical advice for new participants. This session highlighted not only the tangible results of gender equality initiatives within companies but also provided valuable experience and inspiration for other enterprises.

In the final Q&A session, participants actively engaged with the guests, delving into the specifics of implementing gender equality goals, as well as discussing the related challenges and opportunities.  Moderated by Ms. Salma Houerbi, the session facilitated a timely and professional exchange, ensuring that all questions were addressed and effectively, bringing the event to a successful conclusion.

Through this conference, Leverage has further reinforced its commitment to gender equality and is poised to make an even greater impact moving forward. 

Leverage's commitments and practices

In June 2024, Leverage proudly participated in the third phase of the Gender Equity Target Business Accelerator (TGE) program, launched by the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) in China. This involvement underscores our firm commitment to gender equality and corporate social responsibility. Looking ahead, Leverage aims to encourage more companies to embrace gender equality through our example and to collaboratively advance social progress and prosperity.

In early 2023, Leverage successfully completed the inaugural UNGC Gender Equity Target Corporate Accelerator program and was awarded a certificate of completion at the closing ceremony. Through structured learning and active engagement in the TGE project, we have enhanced our understanding and application of women’s empowerment principles, further reinforcing our support for SDG 5.

Throughout the program, we actively promoted women's leadership and collaborated with industry partners, markets, and communities to foster diversity, equality, and inclusion. We have focused on advancing women's empowerment practices, committed to creating a fair and non-discriminatory work environment, offering equal career opportunities for all employees, and amplifying women's voices and leadership within the workplace.

Working hard to drive the Sustainable Development Goals, Leverage is always on the way

Join the UNGC Forward Faster Initiative

In November 2023, Leverage officially joined the UNGC's "Forward Faster" Initiative, pledging to invest corporate resources in gender equality, climate action, and water resilience to expedite progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. We aim to create a significant and rapid impact before 2030, collaborating with leading sustainability-focused companies to pursue a global sustainable future.

The UNGC's "Forward Faster" Initiative aims to accelerate the pace and investment of businesses to meet the needs of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Participating in the UNGC Global webinar series, practicing gender equality and business integrity, and contributing to the sustainable development of enterprises

On the evening of October 19, 2023, the Leverage team joined the Global webinar series, "An In-depth Look at Anti-Corruption: Gender Dimensions of Business Integrity," co-hosted by UNGC and UNODC. The symposium explored how companies can use the synergy between gender equality and business integrity to advance their own sustainable development.

Leverage has been dedicated to advancing responsible corporate practices and gender equality within the organization, fostering a fair and inclusive workplace for female employees, and supporting their career development. Moving forward, we will collaborate with various partners to further promote the sustainable development of enterprises. We also remain committed to the United Nations anti-corruption principles, implementing a robust clean management system and embedding transparency and responsibility into our company culture, values, daily training, communication, and practices.

Signing the CEO Statement of Support for the Empowering Women Principles

In October 2020, Leverage’s CEO signed the CEO Statement of Support for the Empowering Women Principles. This initiative, launched by UN Women and the UN Global Compact Office, provides a framework for companies to address key issues related to gender equality in the workplace, market competition, and community life.  The principles guide companies in adapting or implementing policies to effectively empower women in alignment with current business realities.

Diversity and Inclusion

D&I training, or diversity and inclusion training, is a key organizational development tool that aims to enhance employees' awareness of diverse cultures, backgrounds and perspectives, and promote equality and respect in the workplace. This training enhances employees' understanding of diversity through education and interactive activities, challenges prejudices and stereotypes, and thus creates a more inclusive and innovative work environment.

D&I training is closely related to issues such as gender equality. It not only focuses on gender diversity in the workplace, but also promotes gender equality practices, helps organizations eliminate gender bias, and ensures fair recruitment, promotion and compensation policies. Through this training, employees can recognize the importance of gender equality and take actions to support the development of women in the workplace.

Leverage has been committed to integrating diversity and inclusion into corporate culture, and we are currently actively preparing for a new D&I training course. The course will explore gender equality and other diversity issues in depth, and provide practical strategies and tools to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. If you are interested in participating in our D&I training or would like to learn more, please contact us. We look forward to working with you to promote diversity and gender equality in the workplace.