Javier García, Managing Director of the Spanish Association for Standardization, UNE, has taken part in the event organised by AFNOR "Gender equality: toward an international standard" held on 25 February in the framework of the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The international conference was followed by over 500 people from 33 countries.
In his position as the ISO Gender Champion for Europe and Central Asia, Javier García highlighted the essential role of standards in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and made specific mention of several standards supporting the SDG 5 Gender Equality. He also presented the Action Plan for Gender Equality, which is part of the ISO 2030 strategy, specifically addressing the promotion of inclusion and diversity within the ISO framework.
All speakers at the event stressed that gender equality is a cross-cutting issue affecting all organisations. Information was also given on how, through the International Committee ISO/PC 337, led by AFNOR and with the participation of UNE, work is underway on what will be the first ISO world standard on gender equality. This standard will establish a set of best practices for the promotion and implementation of Gender equality, as well as its integration with other national and international initiatives and policies. The future standard will be developed between 2022 and 2023.
Among the several ministers participating in the webinar were Elisabeth Moreno (French Minister Delegate responsible for gender equality, diversity and equal opportunities) , Frank Riester (French Minister Delegate of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) and Elena Bonetti (Italian Minister of Equal opportunities and family). Senior leaders of companies, standardisation entities and leading international organisations such as UN Women France also took part.
