Banks lead the way on gender equality in the workplace

Banks lead the way on gender equality in the workplace.

Embargoed until 6 p.m. 19 September, 2013

Banks have scooped 5 of 7 awards, including the top award, at the first ever White Camellia Awards, being held on Suffrage Day, 19 September 2013.

The White Camellia Awards are being organised jointly by the UN Women National Committee New Zealand, the EEO Trust, BPW New Zealand and the Human Rights Commission, to acknowledge companies that have made the most progress in implementing the Women’s Empowerment Principles, which seek to empower women in the workplace, and which have been signed by more than 600 corporations around the world.

“Banks seem to be leading the way in terms of providing corporate leadership for gender equality in the workplace,” UN Women NZ President Rae Julian said today.

“We hope that other companies will learn from their example, and make a similar effort to promote gender equality in the workplace, and treat men and women equally,” says Bev Cassidy-MacKenzie, of the EEO Trust,

“We congratulate the supreme winner, ASB Bank, for doing most to establish high level corporate leadership for gender equality, and making the most progress in implementing the Women’s Empowerment principles, says EEO Commissioner Dr Jackie Blue.”

Other winners of awards are:

• ANZ for treating all women and men fairly at work –respecting and supporting human rights and non-discrimination

• Kiwibank—for ensuring the health, safety and well-being of all women and men workers

• BNZ –for promoting equality through community initiatives and advocacy

• Deloittes-- for promoting education, training and professional development for women

• CocaCola Amatil, for implementing enterprise development, supply chain and marketing practices that empower women.

ENDS

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