AOG Essay

Global gender inequality is a barrier for human development. The attempts and efforts of many corporations to create a just world should not ignore the rights and abilities of half the world’s population. The empowerment of women economically, socially, and politically is essential for the advancement of companies and governments. Without equality between the sexes, with men holding higher status and power, progressions for a better future will remain stagnant. As defined by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, corporate social responsibility is “the commitment of the company to contribute to the sustained economic development by working with employees, their families, the local community, and the entire society in order to improve life quality” (Estallo, Fuente, & Miquela, 2007, p.381). Gender inequality is a global issue that must be incorporated in the CSR programs of multinational corporations through the promotion of female economic participation, training and organizing diversity and inclusion programs, and the elimination of discrimination against women in the workplace. Women are central to the global economy, and in order to combat the issue of gender inequality, organizations must begin implementing methods to end the injustices that they encounter.
Female economic participation is essential, not only in regards to combating the issue of gender inequality, but also fostering economic growth within corporations. Societies need to refrain from perceiving women as “passive recipients of help” but as assets that will promote social transformation within organizations and countries (Lopez-Claros & Zahidi, 2005, p.3). The participation of women in the work force of developing countries will allow for overall advancement of the economy as a whole. Developing countries suffer from high fertility and child mortality rates. Through educating and employing women in these countries, corporations will allow for the decrease of both these