amfori and UN Women invite top European companies to close the gender gap by participating in a 9-month training programme

The WeEmpowerAsia programme is calling for companies committed to advancing gender equality in Europe to participate in its collaborative ‘WEPs Activator 2.0’. WeEmpowerAsia is a UN Women programme, funded by the European Union and amfori, a leading global business association for open and sustainable trade.

The ‘WEPs Activator 2.0’ is a 9-month capacity-building programme that brings together up to 15 companies and a selected group of their strategic business partners (up to five) for an opportunity to learn and exchange knowledge and insight on gender-responsive policies and practices through training and mentoring. The programme will run from October 2021 until June 2022.

Benefits of the WEP’s Activator 2.0 programme:

• Engage with a network of 5,000+ companies
• Increase recognition, trust & visibility for your business
• Gain access to knowledge resources & tools
• Scale up your business & create impact
• Receive a personal certificate for participation in the WEPs Activator from UN Women and amfori

Following the success of the 1^st edition of the WEPs Activator programme for amfori corporate members, WeEmpowerAsia and amfori have opened the 2^nd edition of the programme this year to non-amfori members as well. The WEPs Activator 2.0 will be incorporating a lot of the takeaways from the 16 amfori members who completed the first programme in June 2021. Participants will benefit from the first-hand experience of peers and gain insight on what positive results the programme brings. As part of the programme, participants will also be given exclusive access to join the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) community.

Testimonials from previous participants recommend the experience they gained from the WEPs Activator programme:

“Our participation in the WEPs Activator has encouraged the ALDI Nord Group of Companies and ALDI South Group to start developing a gender policy and a gender action plan for our supply chains.” - Lena Schweighöfer, Specialist CR/QA International, ALDI Nord Group of Companies.

“As an international wholesaler, we are as diverse as our millions of customers, which is why diversity and inclusion is a fundamental part of our corporate culture. METRO not only aims to empower all employees to develop their full potential, but also to provide equal opportunities for everyone in our entire value chain. The WEP Activator provides us with helpful impulses for this.” - Rafael Gasset, Chief Operating Officer, METRO

The WEPs Activator 2.0 programme will feature new tools and materials, including assessment and action-planning tools applicable to different areas, such as sexual harassment - making this year’s programme even more tailored to our members’ needs.

WeEmpowerAsia and amfori joined forces to strengthen women’s economic empowerment particularly in the Asian and European region. The partnership aims to support companies to integrate gender equality into their way of doing business, as gender equality has the potential to make a huge economic contribution.

• Joining the WEPs Activator 2.0 programme, the participants will be provided with the knowledge, tools, and network to empower women and harness economic benefits from continued upskilling and training. More information can be found in the brochure here or you can listen to the recording of the WEPs Activator Closing Event on 22 June to:

1. get an introduction to the WEPs Activator;
2. gain insight into the results from the WEPs Activator;
3. learn from the WEPs Activator Participants’ experience;
4. get the EU’s perspective on gender equality and transparency; and
5. learn about the second WEPs Activator programme!

Non-members of amfori can now apply to the WEPs Activator 2.0 by filling in the Expression of Interest Form by September 9^th, 2021. All places are allocated on a first come first serve basis.