Ethical ecosystems
Increased consumer demand for ethical and diverse businesses will increase the demand for gender equity and transparency (e.g. through reporting). It will also create opportunities for consumer-focused businesses incorporating more women into supply chains in sustainable and ethical ways.
- Opportunity
- medium
Increased consumer demand for ethical and diverse businesses will increase the demand for gender equity and transparency (e.g. through reporting) and open opportunities for businesses incorporating more women into supply chains in an ethical manner.
- Risk
- low
Without a gender lens, there is a risk that women get ‘left behind’ (for example, consumers may focus on environmental sustainability as the key component of ‘ethical’ business, to the exclusion of social issues) There is also a risk of job losses (e.g. in manufacturing) if ethical sourcing and re-shoring become more prevalent in Western economies.
- Opportunity
- low
- Risk
- low
Institutions within the portfolios of gender-smart investors may be subject to additional reporting requirements around gender diversity.
Gender-smart investors could ensure investees are ready for this transition by making internal reporting on the gender balance a requirement for investment, and working with them to improve data collection.
- Opportunity
- medium
- Risk
- low
Western consumers are increasingly concerned about how manufactured goods and products are sourced, produced and assembled. As a result, manufacturing companies (particularly exporters) in the portfolios of gender-smart investors may be subject to additional reporting requirements around gender diversity and sustainability.
Gender-smart investors could ensure investees are ready for this transition by making internal reporting on the gender balance a requirement for investment, and working with them to improve data collection.
- Opportunity
- medium
- Risk
- low
There is increasing demand for specialised ‘women-produced’ food and agricultural products. As a result, exporters of high-value commodities (such as coffee) in the portfolios of gender-smart investors may be subject to (or derive added value from) additional reporting requirements around gender diversity and sustainability.
Gender-smart investors could ensure investees are ready for this transition by:
- Making reporting on the gender balance a requirement, and working with them to improve data collection.
- Helping investees design and implement ways to improve the livelihoods and agency of women and women-owned businesses in their supply chain.
