Social Equality

Narrowing the funding gap for female entrepreneurs
Susann Tischendorf, (Aug 21, 2021)

COMMENT: The World Bank estimates that the gender finance difference is $1.7tn. One of the best ways to tackle this is to invest in funds that invest in women-led enterprises, writes Susann Tischendorf of iBAN
Brand Watch 1: One step forward, three back in fashion industry’s sustainability ‘journey’
Oliver Balch, (Jul 26, 2021)

In the first part of his monthly column, Oliver Balch looks at a series of damning reports on a sector that is trying to play up its green efforts, from plastics content to human rights
‘We must rise to the biggest economic challenge of our times: creating good jobs for everyone'
Dr. Nouriel Roubini and Anand Ramachandran, (Jul 15, 2021)

Comment: Dr. Nouriel Roubini and Anand Ramachandran argue that companies have a responsibility to ensure workers in their supply chains are paid a living wage
Businesses that prioritise social value will thrive as we build back better
Steve Butterworth, (Jun 21, 2021)

COMMENT: Steve Butterworth, CEO of Neighbourly, argues the case for localisation as a means to both recover from the pandemic and reduce the inequalities it exposed
To grow climate-smart agriculture, start by educating girls
Mark Hillsdon, (May 30, 2021)

Mark Hillsdon reports on how Zimbabwean farming pioneer Esnath Divasoni is championing the Campaign for Female Education
Brand Watch: Xinjiang forced labour allegations put brands and investors in hot seat
Oliver Balch, (Apr 28, 2021)

In contrast to their positioning on climate action, companies are struggling to get on the front foot with human rights risk, Oliver Balch reports
‘Tony’s Chocolonely deserves support for tackling the complexity of combatting forced labour’
Didier Bergeret, (Mar 24, 2021)

COMMENT: Didier Bergeret of the Consumer Goods Forum says the ethical confectionery company's transparent efforts to eradicate modern slavery are worth applause rather than brickbats
Finding the keys to unlock the potential of female entrepreneurs
Marianna Mamou, (Mar 8, 2021)

Comment: Marianna Mamou of UBS Global Wealth Management says in order to address the fact that only 2% of startup funding goes to women-led ventures, we first have to understand what’s causing the dearth of funding
Why rewarding companies that pay their fair share of tax is going global
Harriet Lamb, (Feb 25, 2021)

COMMENT: With Covid exacerbating poverty and trade inequality, many more companies should join the likes of SSE, Co-op, and Lush in adopting the Fair Tax Mark, says Ashden CEO Harriet Lamb
Polman: 'Amid rising vaccine nationalism, WTO's new director-general can't come quick enough'
Paul Polman, (Feb 15, 2021)

COMMENT: Many challenges await the global trade body’s new chair Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, but her appointment is a cause for celebration, writes Paul Polman
Three ways companies can become more inclusive in 2021
Susann Tischendorf and Alexandra Harris, (Jan 14, 2021)

Susann Tischendorf and Alexandra Harris of the Inclusive Business Action Network advise how businesses can respond to growing consumer demands to embed equality in how they operate
Investing in solutions to the growing problem of female homelessness
Keith Breslauer, (Dec 18, 2020)

COMMENT: Patron Capital’s managing director Keith Breslauer says impact investment vehicles that tackle challenging social issues while providing decent financial returns to institutional investors are key to post-pandemic recovery
‘The meat industry’s failure to protect workers at their time of greatest hazard will hurt us all’
Felicitas Weber, (Oct 19, 2020)

Comment: Felicitas Weber, project director at KnowTheChain, says its latest human rights benchmark exposes an epidemic of ill treatment, with suppliers to brands including McDonald's, Burger King and Walmart among the worst performers, in stark contrast to how they are rewarding shareholders
CBI calls for urgent action to tackle white male syndrome
Terry Slavin, (Oct 7, 2020)

With only 37% of FTSE 100 boards having any ethnic minority representation, and women faring little better, leading UK businesses have launched a campaign to scale up diversity and inclusion
Why diverse suppliers hold the key to business resilience
James Richens, (Oct 6, 2020)

While tightened budgets due to Covid-19 are causing some companies to row back on diversity and inclusion initiatives, some are reaping long term benefits by extending their programmes beyond their own workforces, reports James Richens
Black Lives Matter movement turns up heat for boards to walk the talk of racial diversity
Helen Chan and Julie DiMauro, (Oct 5, 2020)

Helen Chan and Julie DiMauro of Thomson Reuters Regulatory Intelligence look at how US and Canadian companies are responding to investor and consumer pressure to promote race relations in their own operations

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Social Equality

Ann Mukherjee and the battle for a more inclusive culture in the drinks industry