Tiếng Việt
As a woman-owned business, Maries deeply understands the challenges women face in achieving economic independence and, most importantly, in creating stable employment opportunities for the community and other vulnerable women.
Recognizing the importance of creating equal and sustainable working conditions for women, Maries is one of the few local businesses that early on committed to supporting the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs).
1. The Seven Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs)
The Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) are an initiative by UN Women in the Asia-Pacific region, implemented in countries across the region, including Vietnam, from 2020 to 2022, receiving positive participation from many businesses. This is the fourth year UN Women and the Vietnam Women Entrepreneurs Council, VCCI, have organized this program.
The seven Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) are summarized as follows:
- Establish high-level corporate leadership for gender equality.
- Treat all women and men fairly at work – respect and support human rights and non-discrimination.
- Ensure the health, safety and well-being of all women and men workers.
- Promote education, training and professional development for women.
- Implement enterprise development, supply chain and marketing practices that empower women.
- Promote equality through community initiatives and advocacy.
- Measure and publicly report on progress to achieve gender equality.
According to reports, women make up nearly half of the world’s population but currently contribute only 37% of global GDP. Empowering women to participate equally in the economy could add $28 trillion to global GDP by 2025. Currently, women own about 33% of all businesses worldwide. If these businesses grew as those owned by men, global GDP would increase by about $2 trillion and create between 288 million and 433 million new jobs.
Ms. Caroline T. Nyamayemobe, UN Women Representative in Vietnam, emphasized, “Evidence shows that countries with higher gender equality have faster-growing and more competitive economies. Adopting sustainable development tools such as gender-responsive procurement policies and the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) is a smart choice that helps businesses make a difference and grow sustainably.”
Worldwide, over 6,000 businesses have signed up to support the WEPs, and in Vietnam, more than 120 businesses have joined.
>> Lear more: Maries Story | Lepironia Grass, Amazing Journey
2. Maries Signs Commitment to the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs)
Maries is a brand of handicrafts born and raised in the locality of Hue, representing the voice of many women where we live and spreading that voice further. We are grateful to be born as women, given the privilege to understand, love, and empathize with other women, fulfilling our roles as mothers, wives, and grandmothers while also striving for honest labor.
Maries Co., Ltd. joined the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) developed by UN Women and the UN Global Compact in January 2024, supporting principles and activities that promote gender equality and empower women in the workplace, market, and community with the motto “Equality is Prosperity.” Proud to be one of the few local businesses to sign the WEPs early, Maries aims to spread the message more powerfully through traditional handcrafted products made by the skilled hands of Hue women.
Maries promotes gender equality in the workplace by having 100% of its board of directors, angel investors, and middle management be women, with female workers making up 99% of the workforce, including 50% being female artisans aged 50 and above, who can work flexibly from home to balance work and family. Everyone has access to the same opportunities and resources and receives equal pay for equivalent work, regardless of gender.
In addition to supporting gender equality, Maries also aims to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) over more than four years of development, with the mission “Elevating Traditional Vietnamese Handicrafts.” We are gradually perfecting an innovative social business model that brings practical benefits to female workers, preserves traditional culture, and connects Vietnamese craft villages with global customers.
Joining the network of businesses committed to the WEPs lays the foundation for Maries to promote gender equality actions, organize, and participate in many programs supporting vulnerable women, continuing to affirm the sustainable development goals set in recent years.
-Maries, 17/05/2024 –