How Stock Exchanges Can Advance Gender Diversity

Stock exchanges are uniquely positioned to influence their 
market in a way few other actors can. The Sustainable Stock Exchange (SSE) initiative of the United Nations helps stock exchanges build on this position by connecting them with companies, investors and policymakers to support sustainable development in capital markets. Stock exchanges around 
the world are invited to join the initiative by signing a public commitment to promote sustainable business practices. 
Building on the 2016 SSE Report on Progress, which highlights 
five specific targets of the UN Sustainable Development Goals 
(SDGs) that exchanges are well placed to influence, this report examines the contribution exchanges can make toward SDG 
target 5.5: ensure women’s full and effective participation 
and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision making in political, economic, and public life, as 
well as the gender-specific targets under the other 16 SDGs. 
It also complements the SSE co-organised Ring the Bell for 
Gender Equality global collaboration, held in 2015, 2016 and 
2017; the objective of which is to have market opening and 
closing bells ringing across the globe to bring further attention 
to the importance of women’s economic empowerment to 
business growth and development, as well as highlight the role 
the private sector can play in creating opportunities for women 
in the workplace, marketplace and community.