In its ongoing commitment to female empowerment and entrepreneurship, Mary Kay Inc., alongside Warner Bros., Qualcomm and more, recently addressed the economic, social and sustainability benefits of global gender equality at the United Nations Global Compact for Gender Equality, an event organized by Global Compact Network USA (GCNUSA) in Los Angeles, California. The regional event took place at the Metro Headquarters at One Gateway Plaza and invited attendees to explore the many ways in which businesses can take action on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) to promote gender equality in the workplace, marketplace, and community.
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Deborah Gibbins, COO at Mary Kay with Sandeep Khagram, Director General and Dean, Thunderbird School of Global Management, Arizona State University (Photo: Mary Kay Inc.)
Endorsed by chief executives, the Global Compact is a practical framework for the development, implementation, and disclosure of sustainability policies and practices, offering participants a wide spectrum of workstreams, management tools and resources, all designed to help advance sustainable business models and markets. With over 10,000 corporate participants and other stakeholders from over 160 countries engaged through 68 country networks, it is the largest voluntary corporate sustainability initiative in the world.
SDG 5 refers to the fifth of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. SDG 5 focuses on ending all discrimination against women and girls—not only a basic human right, but crucial for a sustainable future. It’s proven that empowering women and girls spurs economic growth and development.
“Mary Kay has passionately advocated for women’s rights and empowerment around the globe since our founding in 1963,” said Deborah Gibbins, Chief Operating Officer of Mary Kay, Inc. “Events like the United Nations Global Compact for Gender Equality foster conversation between business and community leaders to educate on how we can make a difference and promote meaningful change in the journey to achieve SDG 5.”
Gibbins participated at the UN event as part of a panel tackling corporate leadership in gender equality. Joining her on the panel were Kim Williams, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Warner Bros. Entertainment and Rashmi Char, Vice President of Engineering at Qualcomm. The panel was moderated by Holly Smithson, CEO of Athena. Nina Hachigian, Deputy Mayor for International Affairs of Los Angeles, was also on hand to speak.
“Gender equality in the workplace offers real benefits to everyone,” added Gibbins. “I challenge our peers in business to make a public pledge to become gender-equal by recruiting, developing and promoting women and also by encouraging female leadership throughout their organizations. According to UN Women, at current rate, it will take 140 years to achieve gender parity in top leadership positions. We can, and we must, do better. This event is an important step to work with others across the business, investment, government and academia sectors who are just as passionate about solving this issue as we are.”
About Mary Kay
One of the original glass ceiling breakers, Mary Kay Ash founded her beauty company more than 56 years ago with three goals: develop rewarding opportunities for women, offer irresistible products, and make the world a better place. That dream has blossomed into a multibillion-dollar company with millions of independent sales force members in nearly 40 countries. Mary Kay is dedicated to investing in the science behind beauty and manufacturing cutting-edge skin care, color cosmetics, nutritional supplements and fragrances. Mary Kay is committed to empowering women and their families by partnering with organizations from around the world, focusing on supporting cancer research, protecting survivors from domestic abuse, beautifying our communities, and encouraging children to follow their dreams. Mary Kay Ash’s original vision continues to shine—one lipstick at a time. Learn more at MaryKay.com.
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