Supporting Women’s Empowerment

September 16, 2021

Signify is a signatory of the Statement of Support for the United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs)

Since 2017, Signify has been a member of the United Nations Global Compact. It is one of 12,000 companies that has aligned its operations and strategies with Ten Principles of the Compact, in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.

“These are now embedded in our policies and guide all key operating decisions,” said Elif Tutum Tuncer, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at Signify.

In July 2021, Eric Rondolat became one of the latest business leaders to sign the CEO Statement of Support for the United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs). To date, more than 5,000 companies have committed themselves to the WEPs, which is the first global initiative to promote and strengthen women in companies on the basis of seven principles.

These seven principles are:

Principle 1: Establish high-level corporate leadership for gender equality.

Principle 2: Treat all women and men fairly at work – respect and support human rights and non-discrimination.
Principle 3: Ensure the health, safety and well-being of all women and men workers.
Principle 4: Promote education, training and professional development for women.
Principle 5: Implement enterprise development, supply chain and marketing practices that empower women.
Principle 6: Promote equality through community initiatives and advocacy.
Principle 7: Measure and publicly report on progress to achieve gender equality.

To seasoned Signify watchers signing up to the WEPs may not come as a surprise. Signify has become increasingly vocal about advancing gender equality and is acutely mindful of the need for the company to truly reflect society. Thankfully, as a global company, Signify is well-positioned to offer every talent good career paths and opportunities.

Signify vocal about advancing gender equality and is acutely mindful of the need for the company to truly reflect society."

“Diversity, equity and inclusion are fundamental to our long-term success. To this end, we forged them to become a key pillar of our business strategy,” explained Tuncer.

In its annual report and on public platforms, the company has made a public commitment to double the number of women in leadership positions to 34% by the end of 2025. In last month’s quarterly earnings announcement, it reported back on its progress stating, “The percentage of women in leadership positions was 25%, on track to reach the 2025 target of 34%.”

Supporting the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles underpins Signify’s commitment and is another step towards ensuring equal opportunities, fairness, and impartiality for all.

About the Women's Empowerment Principles

The Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs) guide businesses on how to promote gender equality and empower women in the workplace, marketplace and community. Jointly established by the UN Global Compact and UN Women, the WEPs are underpinned by international labor standards and human rights and by the recognition that businesses have an important role in promoting gender equality and women's empowerment. Adopting the seven principles is the best way that businesses can deliver on the ambitions for gender equality and women's empowerment as outlined in the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development and in the 17 SDGs.

About the author:

Elif Tutum Tuncer

Diversity and Inclusion Manager, Signify.

For further information, please contact:

Elif Tutum Tuncer
Tel: +90 05497727699
Email: elif.tuncer@signify.com

About Signify

Signify (Euronext: LIGHT) is the world leader in lighting for professionals and consumers and lighting for the Internet of Things. Our Philips products, Interact connected lighting systems and data-enabled services, deliver business value and transform life in homes, buildings and public spaces. In 2022, we had sales of EUR 7.5 billion, approximately 35,000 employees and a presence in over 70 countries. We unlock the extraordinary potential of light for brighter lives and a better world. We achieved carbon neutrality in 2020, have been in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index since our IPO for six consecutive years and were named Industry Leader in 2017, 2018 and 2019. News from Signify is located at the Newsroom, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. Information for investors can be found on the Investor Relations page.

More blogs

July 15, 2022

Signify ensures all voices are heard

Read more
July 16, 2022

Signify's commitment to sustainability resonates with my goals

Read more
July 17, 2022

Signify brings you endless growth opportunities

Read more

View all articles