DMCC, the world’s leading Free Zone for commodities trade and enterprise in Dubai, marked International Women’s Day 2018 by announcing its commitment to the ‘Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) – Equality Means Business’ campaign, an initiative of UN Women, the United Nations organisation dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women.

By signing a “CEO Statement of Support” at Almas Tower in the presence of Mahmoud Hesham El Burai, Chairman to the United Nations Global Compact Local Network UAE, and Alice Laugher, Chair of the UAE WEPs Taskforce, Gautam Sashittal, Chief Executive Officer, DMCC officially endorsed the campaign and committed the organisation of over 300 employees to the pursue the empowerment of women in the workplace, marketplace and community.

“DMCC is the world’s most interconnected Free Zone and a market maker for global trade. Its success is driven in no small measure by a diverse and dedicated workforce, in which women play a central role. We are proud of our inclusive, nurturing and empowering environment and are always looking for ways to improve on the way we do things,” said Gautam Sashittal, Chief Executive Officer, DMCC.

“Promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women at all levels of the organisation has always been a key focus for DMCC. Signing this document will further cement our resolve and formally signal our support for the Women’s Empowerment Principles, building on our commitment to the wider UN Global Compact initiative,” he added.

Adapted from the Calvert Women’s Principles, the WEPs encourage business leaders from around the world to adopt a set of seven steps that support the advancement of equality between men and women, in business enterprises and throughout the larger community.

On this occasion, Mahmoud Hesham El Burai, Chairman to the United Nations Global Compact Local Network UAE, said: “The UAE Government has established itself as a role model for the advancement of women in society. At the UAE Local Network, we are proud to contribute to advancing ‘Global Goal 5: Gender Equality’ of the Sustainable Development Goals through the Women Empowerment Principles. We are delighted that DMCC made a commitment to the ten universally accepted principles under the United Nations Global Compact and is further advancing their commitment by signing the Women Empowerment Principles.”

During the meeting, Iris Van der Veken, Director - International Public Affairs, DMCC accepted an invitation to join the UAE WEP Taskforce and help drive the agenda within DMCC and across the country as a whole.

This is the second global initiative that DMCC commits to over a period of ten months. In August 2017, DMCC was the first Free Zone in the UAE to sign up to the UN Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative.

DMCC pledged to encourage responsible business practice throughout the entire value chain ranging from its Free Zone, home to nearly 15,000 companies; its Jumeirah Lakes Towers district,  where over 92,500 people live and work; to its unique property developments, including the much-anticipated Uptown Dubai.