40 private companies awarded for compliance to gender equality practices

The Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Ms Betty Amongi, has hailed private companies for putting in place sexual harassment policies and other gender equality measures that especially protect female staff.

Speaking during the Gender Equality Seal Awards organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Private Sector Foundation of Uganda (PSFU) in Kampala on Friday, December 8, 2023, Ms. Amongi said many women at workplaces are suffering silently from sexual harassment and other forms of injustice. 

“Statistically lack of equal pay in most companies accounts for 22%. So 22% of women who should be having the same pay as a fellow man in the same position, 22% do not have that same pay. Most companies look at women as not economically viable. They are expensive to maintain in a company,” she said.

“I want to thank these companies who have taken the bold step in making a Sexual Harassment Policy. If we want to engender the workplace we must focus on the private sector. For companies that have participated, I want to thank you, I want to congratulate you, and I want to encourage you to set an example for other companies,” she added.

The UNDP and Private Sector Foundation of Uganda (PSFU) recognised 40 private companies for promoting investment in systems that integrate gender equality within their workplaces and business strategies.

The 40 companies were awarded with the Gender Equality Seal (GES) Gold, Silver and Bronze certification which is part of a global UNDP initiative promoting investment in systems that integrate gender equality within workplaces and business strategies. Another 50 companies received recognition for undertaking steps within the GES certification.

Ms. Elsie Attafuah, UNDP Resident Representative, emphasised the role of Uganda’s private sector institutions in championing gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace.

 “Today we are celebrating the contribution of the private sector in the promotion of gender equality, women’s participation, leadership and elimination of gender-based violence in the workplace,” Ms Attafuah noted.

“This is driven through our global flagship programme – the Gender Equality Seal initiative. This initiative is demonstrating how Public-Private Partnerships can accelerate development interventions for promoting equality and empowerment of women in business strategies and operations,” she added.

Ms. Susan Ngongi, UN Resident Coordinator, further commended the GES awarded institutions.

“Through the Gender Equality Seal private sector companies have made great strides to promote gender equality particularly in management systems, remuneration, professional development and performance, work-life balance, and prevention of sexual harassment. I also wish to recognize private sector companies that have gone beyond the Seal and put further initiatives in place to address gender equality in the workplace,” she said.

Uganda was the first country to pioneer the GES in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2016 and, spearheaded by UNDP in partnership with PSFU, the GES has since attracted over 90 companies from different sectors including manufacturing, banking, telecommunications, hospitality, media, health and ICT.

The private companies awarded with the Gender Equality Seal certification include:

Housing Finance Bank Limited – Gold

Gudie Leisure Farm Limited – Gold

Uganda Breweries Limited – Gold

National Housing Construction Company – Gold

Nile Natural Fruits Product – Gold

Diamond Trust Bank – Gold

RECO Industries – Gold

Hima Cement Limited – Gold

Nina Interiors – Gold

The Medical Concierge Group – Gold

NFT Consult Ltd – Gold

Centenary Bank – Gold

Graphic System Uganda – Gold

Fireworks Advertising – Gold

Stanbic Bank Uganda Limited – Gold

Desire Beauty Products Ltd – Gold

Kiira – Motors Corporation Ltd – Gold

Federation of Ugandan Employers – Silver

Uganda National Farmers Federation (UNFFE) – Silver

National Union of Coffee Agribusiness and Farm Enterprises (NUCAFE) – Silver

Kyamuhunga Tea Company – Silver

AMFRI Farms Limited – Silver

Association of Microfinance Institutions in Uganda (AMFIU) – Silver

Finding XY – Silver

Fairway Hotel Limited – Silver

Steel and Tube Ltd – Silver

Finance Trust Bank – Silver

Bageine and Company Limited – Bronze

Rwenzori International Hotel Ltd – Bronze

Margherita Technical Institute – Bronze

Victorious Education Services – Bronze

Uganda Small Scale Industries Association – Bronze

K-Roma Limited – Bronze

ALFASAN Limited – Bronze