Business leadership on gender-responsive supply chains

25 November 2026 | 08:30–12:30 CET | Palais des Nations, Building H, Room 207–209, Geneva

The UN Sustainable Stock Exchanges (UN SSE) initiative, the UN Global Compact, and UN Women will convene two sessions at the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights to explore how purchasing decisions and board oversight can advance gender equality across supply chains.

UNGC Strategic Consultation: Advancing gender-responsive procurement through collective action

9:00 to 10:30 

The morning will open with an invitation-only consultation led by the UN Global Compact, in collaboration with UN Women and UN SSE. Participants will examine how buyers, suppliers and financial institutions can work together to expand access to contracts and finance for women-owned businesses and improve working conditions for women in supply chains.

Session 2: From the supply chain to the boardroom: governing for gender equality

10:45 to 11:45

This will be followed by a second session, jointly organized session by UN Women, UN SSE, and the UN Global Compact, exploring how corporate boards can strengthen oversight and accountability for gender equality across supply chains.

The discussion will explore what boards should ask about pay, safety and working conditions across their supply chains, and how stock exchanges can help listed companies strengthen oversight and disclosure.