Author: Mrs. Anjum Shahnawaz

KARACHI: To promote increased women participation, gender equality and adopting gender-responsive policies, Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has become a signatory of Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs), according to a statement issued on Wednesday.

WEPs, the founding partners of which are UN Women and UN Global Compact, are a set of Principles aimed at advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace, marketplace and community. WEPs provide guidelines for corporates to deliver on gender equality standards of the 2030 agenda and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The WEPs constitute of seven basic principles to leverage the corporate world towards the goal of achieving a society prioritising gender equality, sustainability and growth. These seven principles are leadership, equality, health & safety, education & training, transparency, community, and markets.

Speaking at the occasion of PSX becoming a signatory of WEPs, the MD & CEO PSX, Farrukh H. Khan, stated: “By becoming a signatory of Women Empowerment Principles, we have sent a strong message that PSX is committed to and supports gender equality and women empowerment.

“PSX has therefore reinforced its commitment to becoming a model corporate for attracting greater talent, regardless of gender or any other considerations. Gender equality is a prerequisite for progressive societies and businesses, encapsulating the standards of sustainability and growth.”

He further stated: “Pakistan Stock Exchange, learning from the Women Empowerment Principles, will be focused on further strengthening our policies of gender equality, sustainability and growth.

“As a frontline regulator and listed entity, we believe that adopting these principles will help augment the business of the Exchange while caring for the community, thereby becoming a positive force for change. While adhering to international best practices in terms of all our functions, we at PSX will now be able to become a role model for listed companies in this particular domain as well.”

Sharmeela Rassool, UN Women Pakistan, while appreciating PSX for becoming a signatory of WEPs and said, “UN Women believes organization like Pakistan Stock Exchange’s plays a leading role in shaping attitudes, challenging discrimination, harmful practices and developing a workplace where everyone is valued – regardless of their race, gender identity and expression, religion, or disability. This signing will create a real impact on gender equality through commitment and action.”