The IFC has published a new gender toolkit for Oil, Gas and Mining companies to assist them with the planning and implementation of their gender diversity initiatives. Published in May 2018, the 67-page toolkit provides companies with tools, methodologies and model policies to draw from when developing or reviewing their gender initiatives. The toolkit content is structured around four key issues:
It is refreshing and commendable to see that this toolkit moves well beyond the largely unsuccessful model of ‘women in industry’ type initiatives that have tended to be narrowly focussed on the recruitment of women into traditionally male-dominated industries. Instead, the toolkit encourages companies to look across the supply chain for opportunities to improve the participation and equity of women, such as using women-owned businesses. It also provides tools to help companies tailor their community engagement activities to ensure that women’s voices are sought out and listened to, and looks at ways to identify, measure and address gender-based violence in the workforce.