In a significant stride towards fostering gender equality and women's empowerment, City Pharmacy Limited (CPL) Group of Companies proudly announced its partnership with UN Women Papua New Guinea, committing to the Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs).
This collaboration positions CPL among a distinguished cohort of global companies dedicated to advancing women's rights.
The official signing ceremony, held on Monday 25th March, saw the participation of key stakeholders including the UN Women Country Representative Adekemi Ndieli and CPL CEO Navin Raju.
The WEPs, developed by UN Women and the United Nations Global Compact, serve as a roadmap for businesses to promote gender equality across the workplace, marketplace, and community.
By aligning with these principles, CPL confirms its steadfast commitment to developing an inclusive and equitable work environment where women have equal opportunities to thrive and succeed.
CPL CEO Raju emphasized the transformative potential of gender equality, saying: "Empowering women is not just the right thing to do; it is essential for the success and sustainability of our company and society."
UN Women's upcoming global campaign in 2025 to “ring the bell for gender equality” underlines the timeliness of CPL's decision to embrace the WEPs. Ms Ndieli commended CPL for its proactive approach, stressing the significant role of such partnerships in driving positive change.
She emphasized the UN Women's unwavering support for CPL's initiatives aimed at advancing women's rights across the country and lauded the firm for signing the WEPs a year before the start of the global campaign.
“We are aware that CPL has on its own, put in place several measures and actions to advance the rights of women across the country and we want to continue to support that so that it can foster better business practices that empower women.”
Raju added: “This partnership marks a crucial strive towards creating a workplace where women are not only afforded equal opportunities, but they are encouraged to excel and lead. We believe that empowering women is not just the right thing to do but it is essential for the success and sustainability of our company and the society.”
He reaffirmed the company’s dedication to continue to empower women and girls, through its Foundation, by providing access to literacy and education programs, enhancing healthcare services and economic empowerment opportunities in PNG.
CPL's decision to embrace the Women Empowerment Principles underlines its recognition of the indispensable role of businesses in driving societal change. This partnership not only reflects CPL's commitment to corporate social responsibility but also signifies its proactive stance in championing gender equality and women's empowerment.
Through this strategic partnership, CPL Group and UN Women PNG are confident to facilitate meaningful progress towards a more inclusive and equitable society, where women are empowered to realize their full potential across all areas of life.
