SDG 5: GENDER EQUALITY

Iberdrola and its firm commitment to gender equality

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Iberdrola is firmly committed to achieving the goal set by the United Nations for gender equality and the empowerment of all girls and women. For the third year running, the company has been recognised for its equal opportunities and gender policies under the 2020 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index.

OUR CONTRIBUTION TO QUALITY EDUCATION

 To maintain a firm commitment to our human capital as our main asset.

 To maintain a favourable framework of labour relations, based on: equal opportunities, non-discrimination and respect for diversity.

 Financial support promoting regional equality policies.

 Extension of the Women's Universe program to promote and develop women's sport.

 We encourage our employees to achieve a healthy balance between work and family life and we are at the forefront of Spanish companies.

At the end of financial year 2019, women made up 43 % of Iberdrola's Board of Directors of Iberdrola and accounted for 50 % of its non-executive directors, making the company one of the IBEX 35 companies with the highest number of women on the Board. In 2019 Iberdrola also adopted the United Nations Women's Empowerment Principles.

For the third consecutive year, our company has been recognised for its equal opportunities and gender policies under the 2020 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index. In addition, Elektro, the Neoenergia group distributor — in which Iberdrola S.A. owns a 52.45% stake —, received the title of Best Company to Work For in Latin America, awarded by Great Place to Work (GPTW) for the fourth year running.

WHAT IS GENDER EQUALITY?

Gender equality is a basic human right and is also an essential factor for building a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world, according to the United Nations.

In recent decades, gradual progress has been made with aspects such as schooling of girls, which has the effect of ensuring fewer and fewer girls are forced into early marriage, and the presence of more women in parliamentary and leadership positions. Laws are being reformed to promote this gender equality. In spite of all this, there are still difficulties and the data shows that there is still a long way to go. For example, according to United Nations data, women are still under-represented at all levels of political leadership, and one in every five women and girls aged 15-49 reports sexual or physical violence by a partner in a 12-month period.

WHY IS GENDER EQUALITY SO IMPORTANT?

Based on UN data, women and girls account for half of the world's population, which means they account for half of the world's human potential. If we manage to improve quality of life with real gender equality, we will gain benefits that will have a global impact on society as a whole.

A decent job, basic rights, and a series of regulations based on salary would lead to improvements in education and health, which in the long term would have a positive impact on girls and those who depend on them (SDG 2, 3 and 4).

 SEE INFOGRAPHIC: Keys to understanding world gender inequality [PDF]

GENDER EQUALITY GOALS

Globally, as a society we have made some progress towards gender equality since the beginning of the century, but there is still a long way to go. That is why the targets for 2030 are:

• Eliminate all forms of violence against women, such as human trafficking, sexual exploitation, child marriage and female genital mutilation.
• Recognise and value unpaid domestic work through public services, infrastructures and social protection policies.
• Guarantee the full and effective participation of women and equality of leadership opportunities at all decision-making levels of political, financial and public life.
• Introduce and strengthen policies and legislation to promote gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels.