Resource Center

It is widely documented that women and girls experience adverse impacts of business activities differently and often disproportionately. They also face additional barriers in seeking access to effective remedies. Moreover, because of intersecting and multiple forms of discrimination, different women and girls may be affected differently by business activities in view of their age, colour, caste, class, ethnicity, religion, language, literacy, access to economic resources, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, residence in a rural location, and migration, indigenous or minority status. It is, therefore, critical that measures taken by States and business enterprises to implement the UNGPs are gender responsive. Against this backdrop, the Working Group in 2017 launched a „gender lens to the UNGPs”. This project aims to raise sensitivity among all stakeholders about the need to adopt a gender perspective in implementing the UNGPs and to develop practical guidance for both States and business enterprises. Building on existing standards and drawing insights from regional consultations and submissions, the Working Group’s June 2019 report to the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/41/43) provides guidance to States and businesses on integrating a gender perspective in implementing the UNGPs.