ISO standard on gender equality

Equal opportunities, combating discrimination, access to education, the role of women in organizations... What if an ISO standard, with international scope and voluntary application, set out best practices on paper, as is the case for many other everyday issues? Following the publication of an initial French document, the project is now being developed within the International Organization for Standardization, under French leadership. France is behind this initiative, launched in 2021, as Olivier Peyrat, CEO of AFNOR, pointed out in his opening remarks at a videoconference attended by more than 300 people from 42 countries on February 25, 2022. Standardization makes it possible to establish a common language for better understanding, better dialogue, and support for the implementation of best practices and operational tools in all organizations, regardless of their nature, sector of activity, or nationality. 

Begun in 2022, the work should be completed in 2023, drawing on everyone's experiences and respecting the consensus. Strict gender equality does not exist in any country in the world today, emphasized Élisabeth Moreno, French Minister Delegate for Gender Equality, Diversity, and Equal Opportunities, at the opening of the discussions. This issue is one of the major causes of the five-year term and is a priority for the French Presidency of the European Union. We are committed to producing a final document that is flexible and accessible to all, in the belief that it will contribute to the development of a more sustainable economy and a fairer society. 

Read also: How to promote gender equality and calculate your index?

Initiatives around the world

Trade is not gender neutral either. Sweden therefore advocates the development of trade policies that favor women. This involves, for example, developing procurement processes that take gender issues into account. , explains Amélie Kvarnström, trade policy advisor at the National Board of Trade Sweden. For its part, the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) is focusing on breaking down stereotypes. We develop educational materials to challenge these prejudices with the aim of promoting women's economic independence as a vehicle for equality. recalls Madeleine Oka-Balima, head of the Gender Equality Unit at the OIF.

The French AFNOR SPEC, a basis for global reflection

The health crisis has further reinforced the need for this international dimension. The situation of women and girls is deteriorating, and their vulnerability is increasing, notes Marie Soulié, head of the "gender, education, population, youth" division. at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Standardization work carried out with all relevant organizations will ensure that this is a representative and participatory process that will strengthen the arsenal of measures promoting equality. To this end, the work may draw on the French AFNOR Spec developed in 2021.

Drafted in less than six months with numerous stakeholders (ministries, local authorities, businesses, universities, associations, etc.), this document serves as a working basis for standardization. Sixty experts from 30 organizations took part in discussions on various topics, explains Sophie Schwamberger, project manager at AFNOR. Based on best practices, it serves as a guide to concrete measures that can be applied in all organizations. 

When ISO leads by example

Currently, according to ISO, 187 voluntary standards contribute directly or indirectly to UN SDG 5. And this is just the beginning. Because the work is also being done internally, explains Javier Garcia Diaz, Director General of the Spanish Association for Standardization and Gender champion of ISO. Since 2019, we have been directly integrating gender issues into the work of our technical committees. This involves collecting data on the representation of women on our committees, sharing best practices with our 180 members, and continuously raising awareness of the issue. This issue is fully supported in Canada, where the feminization of standards is becoming a major topic of discussion. Studies show that in standards for personal protective equipment, one size does not fit all. In fact, the specifications correspond to male body types, not female ones! explains Chantal Guay, Executive Director of the Standards Council of Canada (SCC). This is mainly due to representation: in Canada, only 24% of our committees are women. They need to be more involved in the development of standards. 

At the helm, the ISO/PC 337 committee

Approach, tool, method: AFNOR Spec is highly operational, says Mireille Péquignot, president of the Halte Discriminations association. In addition to the societal argument, the economic argument is an important lever that proves the value of taking this path. Even though women are increasingly present in universities, they are absent from certain fields, at a cost to society estimated at several billion dollars each year. Conversely, 80% of companies that have taken action to promote equality have reaped commercial benefits. 

Next step: establishing an international structure. Just as the French AFNOR Spec inspired the creation of a French commission, the international standard project is being led by an ad hoc committee at ISO.   Our thinking is in line with historic initiatives such as the 4th UN World Conference and the UN's 2030 Agenda, known for its list of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), explains Denis Roth-Fichet, chair of the ISO/PC 337 committee. Our focus is on SDG 5: achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. We also take into account national laws passed in many countries. 

Shake things up

For all participants, an international voluntary standard would generate immediate positive and concrete effects. For a multinational group like ours, having a text that can be applied in all countries, regardless of their level of maturity, is of major interest, says Tanguy de Belair, Director of Inclusion and Diversity at Vinci. Such a document will establish a clear, accessible framework that can be applied anywhere in the world. Each local initiative will take on meaning in relation to global expectations.

Is this a step forward, at a time when laws in 104 countries still restrict women's access to work? Certainly, according to Fanny Benedetti, Executive Director of UN Women France. Overrepresentation of women in the informal economy, wage gaps, the burden of unpaid work... The task is immense, but the standard can strengthen women's place in the economy. "How?" she said. For example, by accelerating progress through a program of in-depth transformation of the company. The text will help define the most important areas of focus for each company's situation, such as governance, non-discrimination, health, safety, and well-being at work, etc. Concrete steps to move forward! 

Olivier Peyrat, CEO of AFNOR, is certain that the collective work carried out will have a ripple effect throughout society. Clearly identifying problems is the first step toward finding solutions. This is precisely the role of voluntary standards, which provide precise definitions, without interpretation or connotation, so that universal best practices can be adopted around the world. Or, in other words, how to make life easier and better!