Photo: Courtesy of LVMH Facebook.
Yesterday, fashion houses including Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Givenchy, Dior, Kenzo, and more that fall under LVMH's luxury brand joined together to sign a charter that would make chiefs responsible for adhering to the United Nation's "Women Empowerment Principles." The UN doctrine came about in March of 2010 as a guide for companies to promote corporate gender equality, and many other companies around the world — including Ernst & Young and fashion labels like Levi Strauss & Co. and Yves Saint Laurent — have already pledged to follow the principles.
According to WWD, LVMH's overall female-to-male ratio is fairly healthy: 74% of its employees are women, 62% of manager positions are held by women, and females make up 36% of its executive committees. But, with the adoption of the charter, expect to see the numbers move closer to the center.
The seven principles are as follows:
1. Establish high-level corporate leadership for gender equality.
2. Treat all women and men fairly at work — respect and support human rights and nondiscrimination.
3. Ensure the health, safety, and well-being of all women and men workers.
4. Promote education, training, and professional development for women.
5. Implement enterprise development, supply chain, and marketing practices that empower women.
6. Promote equality through community initiatives and advocacy.
7. Measure and publicly report on progress to achieve gender equality.
2. Treat all women and men fairly at work — respect and support human rights and nondiscrimination.
3. Ensure the health, safety, and well-being of all women and men workers.
4. Promote education, training, and professional development for women.
5. Implement enterprise development, supply chain, and marketing practices that empower women.
6. Promote equality through community initiatives and advocacy.
7. Measure and publicly report on progress to achieve gender equality.