As an event planner, take a closer look at the Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs for short. Integrating the SDGs into events is an important step towards greater sustainability. With conscious event planning and thanks to sustainable practices, your events can also make an important contribution to solving global problems and at the same time become a role model for sustainability. For this reason, we are presenting "SDG 5 - Gender Equality" to you today.

SDG 5 - Gender equality

This SDG is about achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls. Unfortunately, no country in the world has yet achieved gender parity.

What SDG 5 means for events

SDG 5 "Gender Equality" calls on all stakeholders in the event industry to ensure gender equality. This includes equal career opportunities, pay and leadership positions for women. We can also use events to raise awareness of gender-specific issues and prevent discrimination. We all - all representatives of the industry should promote women in different areas of event planning and execution.

You as event planners and your service-providing companies can contribute to gender equality by

• put together various teams,
• ensure equal pay and opportunities for promotion and
• Develop programs to promote women in management positions.

By consciously designing events, you can address gender-specific topics and create inclusive environments. Networks and platforms for the exchange of women in the industry as well as the implementation of clear guidelines against discrimination and harassment also contribute to achieving this goal.

These immediate measures at events contribute to SDG 5

In this way, you actively promote gender equality:

Diversity and inclusion

Ensure that your events have a diverse mix of speakers, participants and attendees from different genders and backgrounds. Avoid gender stereotypes and promote an inclusive atmosphere.

Women in management positions

Offer women the opportunity to hold leadership positions in the planning and implementation of events. In this way, you can actively contribute to reducing gender inequality in the event industry.

Equal pay

Make sure that all female and male speakers are paid appropriately. You should avoid gender-related pay differences. Women are still paid less for the same work.

Keyword: Gender Pay Gap

Women-specific content

Integrate content and discussions that address specific concerns and experiences of women, be it in terms of professional development, career opportunities or personal growth aspects.

Safety and well-being

Create a safe and inclusive environment at your events where all participants feel respected and comfortable. As an event organizer, you should designate clearly named responsibilities and contact persons specifically for women at your events.

Safe(r) Spaces

Safe places, squares and spaces are important for many marginalized groups to protect themselves from discrimination and to exchange ideas. Events as safe spaces. Take the Oktoberfest, for example: safe zones are set up for women. There are also code words for women who feel threatened or harassed, for example: "Is Luisa here?

Education and awareness

Integrate workshops, lectures or discussions that raise awareness of gender-specific challenges and the importance of gender equality.

Partnerships

Work with organizations that are committed to gender equality. This can strengthen your efforts and give you access to resources and expertise.

Reporting and measurement

Track progress on gender equality in your events. Collect data on the participation of women as speakers, attendees and leaders to measure your progress.

Further education and training

Provide training for your team to raise awareness of gender equality and strengthen skills to promote an inclusive event culture.

With these measures, you can help to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women in the event industry and thus contribute to SDG 5. Remember that implementing such changes takes time and commitment, but can have a positive long-term impact on our industry and our society.

Events that lead by example

Many events and initiatives actively campaign for more gender equality, for example:

Women Deliver Conference

The Women Deliver conference is one of the largest global conferences focused on advancing the health, rights and well-being of women and girls. The conference brings together experts, activists, policy makers and other stakeholders to discuss and promote solutions to gender-specific challenges.

Networks in the event industry

Various initiatives promote diversity, gender equality and the advancement of women in order to strengthen the presence and influence of women in the industry. Networks such as Women in events DACH, Women in exhibitions and She Means Community offer training and mentorships as well as the opportunity for exchange and networking.

Events in the event industry

The She Means Business 2024 conference as part of the IMEX 2024 trade fair from May 14 to 16 in Hall 9 of Messe Frankfurt.

Or the herCareer, career and networking platform for women, October 12 and 13, 2023 at the MOC Munich.

UN Women's Empower Women Events

The UN Women organization regularly holds events that focus on the empowerment of women. These events provide platforms for discussion, exchange of experiences and capacity building to empower women in various aspects of life.

Workshops for women at conferences

Many conferences integrate workshops and discussions that specifically address gender issues and the advancement of women. Such workshops can cover topics such as women in entrepreneurship, women's professional development and women's rights.

Gender-equitable communication

Events that promote gender-inclusive communication and language help to create an inclusive atmosphere. This can include the use of gender-neutral language, the avoidance of gender-stereotypical images and a balanced representation of genders in event promotional materials.

Mentoring programs

The introduction of mentoring programs that bring women in the event industry together with experienced professionals can promote knowledge sharing, leadership development and career opportunities for women, e.g: She Means Community network mentoring program.

Women-specific awards

Some events award prizes or recognition to outstanding women in the industry. These awards help to highlight female role models and make their contributions visible, e.g. Woman of the month from the She Means Community network.

Commitment to equality in the work culture

Event companies can promote gender equality and inclusive work cultures internally by implementing equal opportunity policies, supporting parental leave and flexible working arrangements, and facilitating open communication about gender-specific challenges.

These examples show that there are different approaches in the event industry to promote SDG 5. By learning from and adopting best practices, you as event professionals can contribute to creating an inclusive, gender-equitable and empowering environment for women.

Conclusion

If sustainable events become the standard, their high reach and variety create enormous potential to change the world in a positive way! This is how - also your? - Events become part of the solution - be an active part of it.

More information

Sabine Böhling, consultant, trainer and lecturer for sustainability and CSR, and Stefan Lohmann, expert for live entertainment concepts and founder of Sustainable Event Solutions, present the 17 SDGs and apply them to events. This series first appeared on tw-media, the meetings industry.

• more about the 17 Sustainable Development Goals
• more about the 16 Steps Initiative