In photo: SGV & Co. and PBCWE team collaboratively engaging at the GEARS Action Planning Workshop
24 October 2024, Makati City, Philippines — SGV & Co. has successfully completed the Gender Equality Assessment, Results, and Strategies (GEARS) and is now set to implement its Action Plan, reinforcing its commitment to advancing Workplace Gender Equality (WGE) and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I). This initiative was carried out in partnership with the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (PBCWE), supported by the Australian Government.
The Action Planning Workshop, led by Reuben James Barrete, PBCWE Program Manager, and Julie Christine Ong-Mateo, Assurance Partner and Member of the EY APAC DE&I Steering Committee, took place on October 14 at SGV & Co.’s Head Office in collaboration with PBCWE. During the workshop, Amica Francisco, PBCWE MEL Manager, presented the GEARS results, laying the groundwork for SGV & Co.’s upcoming initiatives to strengthen WGE and DE&I.
SGV & Co.’s Action Plan focuses on three main areas: gender equality training, accessibility and reasonable accommodations, and LGBT+ inclusion. The firm is set to integrate gender equality principles into all employee training programs, ensure their facilities meet accessibility standards, and provide equitable benefits for same-sex couples and LGBT+ individuals, including inclusive health insurance and support for gender-affirming therapies.
SGV & Co. during the GEARS Action Planning Workshop
The GEARS results also highlighted SGV & Co.’s leading practices in several critical areas where they achieved top scores, including the strategic alignment of gender equality with business priorities, leadership accountability, gender pay equity, and the implementation of flexible work arrangements. The firm’s focus on preventing gender-based harassment, fostering professional development, and enhancing recruitment and promotion practices underscores its unwavering commitment to making diversity and inclusion integral to its corporate values.
As a founding member of PBCWE and the first professional services firm in the Philippines and Southeast Asian region to earn the Economic Dividends for Gender Equality (EDGE) Assess-level certification, SGV & Co.’s transition to GEARS signifies a deepened commitment to advancing gender equality and fostering an inclusive workplace culture.
Wilson Tan, Chairman and Country Managing Partner of SGV & Co., sharing his insights during the workshop
“SGV & Co.’s continuous efforts in implementing these strategies reaffirm our leadership role in driving gender equality and creating a supportive environment for all employees, contributing to the broader mission of a more inclusive Philippines,” said Wilson Tan, Chairman and Country Managing Partner of SGV & Co.
“At PBCWE, we believe that fostering an inclusive workplace not only drives better business outcomes but also creates a stronger, more resilient community. I commend SGV & Co. for their proactive leadership and deepened commitment to gender equality through the successful completion of GEARS and the implementation of a comprehensive Action Plan. As a founding member of PBCWE, SGV & Co. continues to set a high standard that will inspire our other member organizations,” said Julia Abad, Executive Director of PBCWE.
