On Tuesday 26th March, Bristol will take a significant step towards greater gender equality with the launch of the Women in Business Charter.

Developed by the Women in Business Task Group, part of the Bristol Women’s Commission, the Charter aims to recognise the positive intent of Bristol businesses to move towards increased levels of gender equality, and support them to achieve that.

INTRODUCTION

The Women in Business Task Group is part of the Bristol Women’s Commission, established when the Mayor signed the European Charter for Equality of Women and Men in Local Life in 2013. The Task Group’s vision is to advance gender equality at all levels of business, especially at senior levels where women remain poorly represented. We aim to build a local and national reputation for taking action to bring about significant improvement for all women in business and to showcase and pioneer new approaches to working that influence businesses both nationally and internationally.

ABOUT US

The Task Group comprises individuals who represent organisations from the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. We meet in the Bristol area on a regular basis, hold public events and campaign for gender equality in business. Our belief is that businesses cannot reach their full potential if they fail to recruit and retain a gender balanced workforce. Having more women in decision-making positions has been demonstrated to make a positive contribution to the ‘bottom line’ and to the way businesses are run. We are committed to working with organisations who align with but also aspire to achieve gender equality and inclusivity for all women in business. We aim to bring about improvements and to showcase pioneering approaches within the business community.

HOW BUSINESSES CAN GET INVOLVED

It’s completely free to sign up to the Charter. Businesses that sign are committing to improving and maintaining gender diversity and inclusion at all levels of business. We aim to create a forum that connects businesses and enables them to engage in communities by sharing good practice towards the achievement of gender equality. Aside from the obvious benefits of demonstrating your commitment to your female employees, other reasons to sign the Charter include:

● Being able to use the Bristol Women in Business logo across all your HR and recruitment materials

● Publishing the Women in Business Charter on your website

● Your name and logo listed on the Women in Business website

● An opportunity to host, speak and meet other signatories at future Women in Business events, centred around the goals of the Charter.

● A case study of your business that can be showcased to other companies

● Access and support from the group’s network To become a signatory, you will need to tell us why you wish to sign up, the goals you intend to work towards and targets you aim to achieve over the next 12 months. You’ll be required to report progress at the end of that 12 month period, if you wish to retain your status as a signatory.

To discuss the Charter and/or Women in Business further, please get in touch at womeninbusinesscharter@gmail.com If you would like to become a signatory, please complete this on-line form. 

We would love you to join us and the Charter’s founding signatories to celebrate the launch of the Charter and hear what businesses in Bristol are doing to make a difference.

The launch event will take place at City Hall on 26th March, from 6.30-8.30pm. Refreshments will be provided.  

Numbers are restricted, so attendance is by invitation only. To reserve your place please RSVP to gemmawilks@moonconsulting.co.uk by Tuesday 19th March.