Santiago, Chile, February 28, 2018 – More than 500 people from 38 countries committed themselves to the "Call to Action of Chile", wrapping up the two-day 4th Forum Global Business for Gender Equality: The future of work in the 2030 Agenda here today.

With the Call to Action of Chile, the attendees —including business leaders, representatives of governments, trade unions and multilateral organizations— committed to promote gender equality in the workplace, as a crucial engine for countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by 2030.

During the global event--organized by the Government of Chile and the United Nations Development Programme  (UNDP), in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UN Women—the attendees participated in various forums, conversation panels and roundtables of solutions, addressing challenges and benefits for greater inclusion of women in the workplace, the reduction of gender gaps; and the key role of the private sector in advancing gender equality and women's empowerment, among other issues.

The act of closing was headed by the Minister of Women and Gender Equity of Chile, Claudia Pascual Grau who stressed that "this event showcases the efforts of governments, companies and trade unions to advance gender equality in the workplace. Within the 2030 Agenda framework, this marks our commitment to overcome poverty, inequalities and deepen democracy, but it also challenges us to increase the labour participation rate of women, with all our diversity.”

"This Global Forum assessed the future of work, the future we want, aiming to ensure that our daughters, as well as our sons, participate in it," said UNDP’s Director for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Randi Davis. "While many women have the necessary education levels and skills to make a contribution, we must ensure that policies are in place so that others are not left behind."

Through the Call to Action of Chile business representatives, government authorities and union members committed to:

• Work every day to promote equality and inclusion.

• Change working conditions so that there is greater equality between women and men.

• Bring the message of this Global Forum to their workspace.

• Find creative and innovative ways to apply the lessons learned.

• Share their experience generously with other companies and other actors who join the call for action for gender equity.

CONTACT

Government of Chile: Andrea Figueroa: afigueroa@sernam.gob.cl

UNDP | In Chile: Magdalena Provis, Magdalena.provis@undp.org and Sergio García Sergio.garcia@undp.org | In New York: Carolina Azevedo, Carolina.azevedo@undp.org (in Chile until March 2)