The organization has taken another step towards a gender-balanced workplace.
The World Bank Group has obtained the EDGE Move certification, accelerating significantly in its progress towards becoming a gender equal workplace.
EDGE is the leading global assessment and business certification for gender and intersectional equity. Certification involves a rigorous third-party review of representation across the pipeline, pay equity, effectiveness of policies and practices, and inclusiveness of an organisation’s culture. As an integral part of the assessment, employees receive a comprehensive survey to assess perceptions of career development opportunities in the workplace. EDGE Move level is the second level of certification that showcases an organization’s progression in fostering workplace gender equity.
In 2017, the World Bank Group obtained its first EDGE certification at the EDGE Assess level and had since implemented significant changes to upgrade its certification level. Since the previous assessment, employees’ perceptions and experiences, for example equal opportunities between men and women to be hired and promoted within the company, and the gender composition of the share of women in the Board of Governors, have improved significantly. The organization has maintained a well-balanced gender representation across the talent pipeline, in core functions and in people management positions.
“The WBG is taking concrete steps toward gender equality, which is a priority in both our operations and in the organization,” said David Malpass, President of the World Bank Group. “I am personally proud that the WBG is 53% women and that our work is strengthened by a majority female Senior Leadership Team. We remain committed to providing an inclusive workplace where all staff can access the same opportunities, compensation, and resources, regardless of gender or identity.”
Covering the global workforce of the World Bank Group, the EDGE Move certification is evidence of how the organization is accelerating toward its goal of workplace gender equity. Areas of further focus for the institution are around further strengthening the framework of its policies and practices in the areas of recruitment and promotion, leadership development training, and flexible working. Consistent communication and transparency of the promotion process and criteria are also a part of its ongoing journey to excellence.
Aniela Unguresan, Founder of EDGE Certified Foundation, says the organization positions itself as a progressive advocate of gender equity in the diversified financial services sector: “It is a significant achievement for an organization as preeminent as the World Bank Group to have its institution’s work towards gender equity and gender balance in the workplace independently recognized and awarded. This certification reinforces the organization’s work to close gender gaps globally and drive sustainable economic growth.”
ABOUT WORLD BANK GROUP
The World Bank Group plays a key role in the global effort to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. It consists of five institutions: the World Bank, including the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA); the International Finance Corp. (IFC); the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA); and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). Working together in more than 100 countries, these institutions provide financing, advice, and other solutions that enable countries to address the most urgent challenges of development. For more information, please visit www.worldbank.org, www.miga.org, and www.ifc.org.
ABOUT EDGE CERTIFICATION
EDGE is the leading global assessment and business certification for gender and intersectional equity. EDGE Certification involves a rigorous third-party review of representation across the pipeline, pay equity, effectiveness of policies and practices, and inclusiveness of an organization’s culture. As an integral part of the assessment, statistical data is analysed, policies and practices are reviewed and employees’ experiences of career development opportunities in the current workplace are accounted for. Depending on the specific results of each organization, an action plan is formulated, and firm commitments towards its implementation.
EDGE Certification meets organizations where they are in their gender balance journey (EDGE) and in their intersectional equity journey (EDGEplus) through its three levels of certification: Assess, Move and Lead. A certification at the EDGE Assess level recognizes commitment, one at the EDGE Move level showcases progress and a certification at the EDGE Lead level celebrates success in fostering gender equitable workplaces. An EDGEplus certification further recognizing its commitment to analysing intersectional issues between gender and one or several of the following additional dimensions: gender identity, race/ethnicity, LGBTQI+, working with a disability, nationality and age.
EDGE Certification is built around the independent third-party certification of data and information and is distinguished by its rigour and focus on impact granted by one of the EDGE accredited independent third-party certification bodies – SGS, Intertek or FloCert, it remains valid for a period of two years. EDGE’s current customer base consists of over 200 large organizations in 50 countries across five continents, representing 30 different industries.
