12-12-2023
Corporate accountability is a women’s rights issue. Most of the precarious work downstream global value chains of European companies is done by women and people in marginalised positions. Because of their gender they risk facing discrimination, gender based and sexual violence, intimidation, abuse, get paid less for the same work, and lack access to maternal leave. Without explicit attention to gender equality, companies will simply fail to get the full picture on possible rights violations and adverse impacts.
Tomorrow the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission will negotiate on the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). This is potentially game-changing legislation on human rights and environmental rights. However, the current issues on the table show there is a real risk having significant flaws that will threaten the effectiveness of this legislation.
The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has declared gender equality a core principle of the European Union. This is the moment for both the European Commission and the European Parliament to show our commitment to protect women’s rights and prioritise gender equality.
As members of WO=MEN Dutch Gender Platform we call the EU to:
= Structurally and explicitly focus on gendered risks and women’s rights in all stages in the due diligence process to investigate value chains.
= Ensure access to justice and meaningful, safe and gender responsive engagement with stakeholders and rightsholders in all stages.
= Include sectors where women make up the majority of the work force and face specific risks to violation of their rights, such as agriculture and textiles.
= Incorporate the financial sector in the CSDDD to ensure the responsibility of financial institutions in monitoring the possible adverse impacts of their investments and loans.
= Demand companies to adopt and implement just climate transition plans in line with the Paris Agreement.
