The United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) initiative today launched its new SSE-IFC Gender Equality Database which tracks the gender balance of issuer’s boards. The database builds on the SSE Gender Equality workstream and the SSE’s analysis of the state of gender equality in G20 markets published earlier this year on International Women’s Day. 

The SSE Gender Equality workstream is being conducted in collaboration with IFC, a long-standing SSE supporter, building on the formal collaboration established between the SSE and IFC at the 2018 World Investment Forum. 

"Now, more than ever, the world needs women at the table," said Stephanie von Friedeburg, IFC Senior Vice President on International Women’s Day earlier this year. "Stock exchanges are formidable allies to facilitate inclusive opportunities and business practices, increase the pace at which women are appointed to boards and senior leadership, and ultimately help achieve a resilient recovery." 

SSE Gender Equality Database 

SSE Gender Equality Database ranks stock exchanges of the G20 by the gender balance of their issuers’ boards. The data analyzes gender equality on the boards of the top 100 issuers by market capitalization on 22 major G20 stock exchanges (if an exchange does not have 100 issuers, then the database includes all issuers). It also includes an overview of the number of female chairs and CEOs that lead these companies.

Key conclusions drawn from the SSE Gender Equality Database include:

➡Women hold 20% of Board seats in G20 markets;

➡Women hold 5.5% of Chair and 3.5% of CEO positions in G20 markets

➡6 out of 22 markets have rules requiring a mandatory minimum number of women on corporate boards

SSE Gender Equality Workstream 

The United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) initiative launched a new project to support exchanges in their efforts to foster gender equality. The SSE Gender Equality Advisory Group is working since July 2021  to examine the contribution exchanges can make toward SDG target 5.5: ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision making in political, economic, and public life, as well as the gender-specific targets under the other 16 SDGs. 

This project is born out of stakeholder demand for the SSE to update its 2017 guidance on How Stock Exchanges Can Advance Gender Equality.