CSR Press Release

SAN FRANCISCO, Apr. 28 /CSRwire/ - BSR's new "Women and Sustainability" research series gives global companies with operations in the developing world a toolkit to invest in women's economic empowerment, health, and responsible employment.

"Investments in women have a multiplier effect, as women are more likely to reinvest in education, health, and economic activities at the community level," said BSR's Racheal Yeager, coauthor of the series and Manager of BSR's HERproject, a factory-based women's health initiative. "Companies can benefit from women's contributions to community stability, a talented and stable workforce, and market growth and innovation."

The series shows how investments by leading companies in women in the workforce, supply chains, and local communities have paid off. Examples include:

• adidas | Women's Health Education and Services: By providing information on reproductive health to female factory workers and creating permanent and mobile health clinics, adidas saw a reduced rate in absenteeism, higher productivity, and improved product quality.
  
• Cisco Networking Academy | Gender Initiative: By requiring at least 30 percent female enrollment in its global information and communications technology training program, Cisco increases the skills of women in the labor market, contributing to workforce diversity at Cisco and in other businesses.
  
• Johnson & Johnson | Every Mother, Every Child: By using mobile phones to disseminate information, Johnson & Johnson improved health education and access for pregnant women and new mothers while growing its customer base in new markets.

The reports cover:

• Investing in women's economic empowerment: Creating jobs and investing in professional development, financial literacy, access to banking, and start-up capital for women is a strategic way to create and support markets that can sustain businesses and healthy communities.
  
• Investing in women's health: Better access to health care and health education allows women to participate more actively in the workforce. This results in a strong return on investment for business - sometimes as high as US$3 for every US$1 invested - from reduced absenteeism and turnover and enhanced productivity.
  
• Employing women responsibly: Promoting equal access and skills development, bolstering benefits, and extending human resources to effectively reach global operations can reduce high turnover rates and increase female applicants.

To learn more about how BSR supports investments by business in women and to access a comprehensive list of related resources, including a full appendix with industry-specific case studies of successful programs, visit www.bsr.org/women-sustainability.

About BSR
A leader in corporate responsibility since 1992, BSR works with its global network of more than 250 member companies to develop sustainable business strategies and solutions through consulting, research, and cross-sector collaboration. With offices in Asia, Europe, and North America, BSR uses its expertise in the environment, human rights, economic development, and governance and accountability to guide global companies toward creating a just and sustainable world. Visit www.bsr.org for more information.

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