IS 19317:2025 / ISO 53800:2024

Promotion and Implementation of Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment – Guidelines

The Guidelines for the Promotion and Implementation of Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment provide a comprehensive and structured framework for organizations to integrate principles of equality into governance, operations, and stakeholder engagement.

Recognizing the persistence of global disparities in remuneration, representation, and safety, the standard—harmonized with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5—affirms that gender equality is both a fundamental human rights obligation and a prerequisite for sustainable development. Applicable to organizations of all types, sizes, and sectors, it offers practical methodologies for assessing the current state of gender equality, identifying relevant stakeholders, and prioritizing interventions through a continuous improvement (PDCA) cycle.

The guidelines address key domains, including strengthening governance structures, ensuring equitable labour practices, enhancing awareness and capacity-building, and establishing robust support mechanisms for stakeholders. They further emphasize the delivery of gender-responsive goods, services, and procurement processes; the integration of gender considerations into budgeting; and the cultivation of strategic partnerships and outreach initiatives.

The standard underscores the importance of evidence-based decision-making through the systematic collection and analysis of both qualitative and quantitative indicators. By embedding gender equality into organizational policies, culture, and operational practices, it seeks to foster inclusivity, enhance institutional performance, and contribute meaningfully to societal advancement. While adaptable to varying organizational contexts and resource capacities, the framework stresses that sustainable progress necessitates leadership commitment, stakeholder participation, and accountability at all levels of operation.

Last Updated on August 19, 2025