Athena Collaborates on Gender Equality with the US Network of the UN Global Compact

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Athena and Global Compact Network USA announce an event collaboration on December 7, to advance gender equality in the workforce. As the world's largest sustainability initiative, the UN Global Compact is a call to companies to align strategies and operations with universal principles around human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption. Today, this values-based framework is enabling over 10,000 companies and organizations to take measurable action and advance societal goals.

Building off the UN Global Compact gender equality programming, this December 7 event will convene at GAP Inc. headquarters and help corporate leaders identify gender diversity opportunities, share corporate best practices and support and increase the 500+ U.S business signatories to the UN Global Compact.

"As a bridge to empowerment for professional women in STEM, Athena is unleashing the power of its network on this call to action," Holly Smithson, Athena's Chief Executive Officer said. "Athena launched its STEM Workforce Equity Index to drive the national dialogue on closing the gender gap, which shows women represent only 25% of the national STEM workforce. We can do better. As a signatory to the UN Global Compact, Athena views this global platform as the epicenter for all businesses positioning their companies to contribute to a prosperous and sustainable world."

"Gender equality is a fundamental human right that is integral to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Yet despite progress, women and girls around the world do not fully experience equal rights and their potential as economic, social and sustainable development change-agents remains untapped," said Adam Gordon, Engagement Director, Global Compact Network USA. "Corporate leadership on gender equality is critical to creating the world we want."

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About Athena
Athena is empowering progress together by advancing professional women in the STEM workforce. Athena offers its member community instruments for change through professional development, community investment, and market research. Its 20-year history of advancing women in one of the nation's leading STEM hubs marks Athena as a premier women's empowerment advocate. For more information visit: athenasd.org and follow @athenasandiego.

About Global Compact Network USA
Global Compact Network USA is the US Network of the UN Global Compact, a leadership platform for the development, implementation and disclosure of responsible corporate practices, which represents the over 500 signatories of the UN Global Compact in the United States. Launched in 2000 by then Secretary-General Kofi Anan, the UN Global Compact is the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative with more than 9,500 companies and 3,000 non-business signatories based in over 160 countries, and nearly 70 local networks. For more information visit: http://www.unglobalcompact.org or http://www.globalcompactusa.org and follow @globalcompactusa.

SOURCE Athena