IETP releases the first Impact Report for the Gender Equality program following successful pilot

Hong Kong SAR, December 20, 2023: Today, the ICTI Ethical Toy Program releases the first impact report for the Gender Equality program.

The Gender Equality program was developed in response to the needs of manufacturing workers. Initial program development was funded by program member, Mattel. In 2022, the program was piloted at 12 factories in mainland China.

Data from the pilot showed just under half of participating factories did not have an established internal grievance channel for processing and dealing with issues of discrimination. Baseline results further showed that 34% of management believed that male employees were more valuable than female employees, and 40% of workers did not disagree with the statement that sexual harassment is caused by a worker wearing revealing clothing or appearance. These insights showed a clear need for more education and support to be provided to achieve Gender Equality

The program works directly with factories to educate and promote equality in the workplace, empower female workers and help companies achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal No.5: Achieve Gender Equality and Empower all Women and Girls.

Highlights from the impact report:

• 12 factories participated in the pilot in Mainland China
• 15,000 workers received online training 3,800 workers received in-person training
• 23% improvement on average across management systems ensuring Gender Equality
• On average factories moved from a ‘beginning’ ranking to ‘very-good’ in post-participation interviews, 94% of management said their companies have a Gender Equality policy
• In post-participation interviews 96% of management said their companies have a grievance channel for Gender Equalityin post-participation interviews, 98% of management said their companies offer Gender Equality training
• In post-participation interviews, 80% of workers were aware their company had a grievance channel for Gender Equality
• In post-participation interviews, 83% of workers said they were aware their company had a Gender Equality policy

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About the Gender Equality Program:

The Gender Equality program was developed in response to the needs of manufacturing workers. Initial program development was funded by program member, Mattel. In 2022, the program was piloted at 12 factories in mainland China.

Data from the pilot showed just under half of participating factories did not have an established internal grievance channel for processing and dealing with issues of discrimination. Baseline results further showed that 34% of management believed that male employees were more valuable than female employees, and 40% of workers did not disagree with the statement that sexual harassment is caused by a worker wearing revealing clothing or appearance. These insights showed a clear need for more education and support to be provided to achieve Gender Equality

The program works directly with factories to educate and promote equality in the workplace, empower female workers and help companies achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal No.5: Achieve Gender Equality and Empower all Women and Girls.

Toy manufacturers are not unique, these attitudes and beliefs can be found in every sector and in every country. IETP and its members are committed to taking action to address these inequalities. This report celebrates the impacts and achievements made at the 12 factories participating in the program for the first time this year. We are looking forward to continuing to work with these factories year after year and measuring the progress made towards establishing better and more equal workplaces globally.

We applaud all the factories, brands and partners who have worked with us to make this year’s Gender Equality program a success. We welcome businesses of all sizes, from all industries and all over the world to get involved in this program – collaboration is the key to success!

Download the 2023 report here