Gender equality: a major national cause gives rise to an international standard

In 2021, France published the world's first normative work on gender equality: it was the AFNOR Spec X30-020 Since then, three ministries (Gender Equality, Europe and Foreign Affairs, Economy and Finance) have coordinated with numerous other stakeholders, under the auspices of AFNOR, to give this guide to best practices a broader scope: an international standard, which remains voluntary.

This is how gender equality made its way to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), giving rise to a text approved by more than 60 countries: the voluntary standard ISO 53800, entitled NF ISO 53800  in France. Its exact title is Guidelines on the promotion and implementation of gender equality and women's empowerment A long title, because every word counts in the eyes of the sixty countries sitting around the standardization table. Like all ISO standards, it is voluntary. And importantly, it is not certifiable. Other signs of recognition exist at the national level to distinguish good equality practices. Read our FAQ here .

ISO 53800: a roadmap listing around a hundred actions

The first part of the text is devoted to definitions. This is followed by the heart of the matter: the famous "guidelines" that outline a roadmap. The document's sixty pages, structured around what clearly resembles an action plan (pages 22 to 33 inclusive), invite readers to consider what their organization has already implemented—or not. It would be easy to turn this standard into a quiz, as the questions it raises are so precise and factual.

The icing on the cake is that the appendices (15 pages) provide a series of real-world use cases. Private companies (from large corporations to SMEs), public entities, local authorities, associations, public institutions, etc. As the standard states, Gender equality is not an issue reserved for women, and everyone and every organization should be concerned about it. Beginners welcome! And more experienced players will find plenty of opportunities to improve their skills. If we want to go beyond mere exhortations, companies must do their part through their HR, CSR, and governance departments. International standards are currently the only tool that can mobilize willing companies around the world, based on identified best practices. comments Franck Lebeugle, Director of Standardization Activities at the AFNOR Group.

ISO 53800: a user guide linked to the SDGs

The text provides guidance on how to comply with several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5, since 104 of the 246 UN indicators have gender-related targets (source: OECD 2020). ISO 53800 addresses gender equality through the internal dimension of the organization, its activities and investments, its external relations, and its internal and external communication. It covers not only the professional sphere but also all aspects of the lives of girls and women.

Five out of ten women worldwide are integrated into the labor market, compared to nine out of ten men. Once employed, women earn only 77 cents for every dollar earned by men (source: UNWOMEN 2017). Another statistic? According to WHO estimates, nearly one in three women worldwide report having been victims of physical or sexual violence during their lifetime, not counting psychological, economic, and social forms of violence.