AMP Capital takes part in the UN’s 63rd Commission on the Status of Women

At AMP Capital, we believe inclusion unlocks the power of diverse thought and enables our people to reach their full potential, which is good for our team and drives business performance.

So we encourage employees to become aligned to our diversity principles in a number of ways. For instance, by becoming involved in AMP Capital’s Diversity Council (IDC), which implements company-wide initiatives to drive inclusion and diversity, such as flexible working policies, domestic violence awareness programs, mental health workshops and balanced recruitment practices.

Another way we support staff to contribute to the broader community focus on diversity is by being part of external initiatives, such as the United Nations’ 63rd Commission on the Status of Women.

Camille Wynter, ESG Investment Analyst in AMP Capital’s Sustainable Investments team, was recently chosen to represent AMP Capital at this important forum in New York. The UN’s Commission on the Status of Women was established in 1946 and is the chief global policy-making platform for women’s rights and gender equality at the UN. It attracts 9000 delegates to share their experiences and provides an opportunity to network, learn, and advocate.

At the end of the two weeks, member states agree on actions to accelerate progress on women’s rights in political, economic and social fields. The outcomes and recommendations of each session are shared with the UN’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for implementation. This year, the commission focused on the theme of social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.

“I travelled to New York with Carmel Hourigan, AMP Capital’s Global Head of Real Estate and the Chair of our Inclusion and Diversity Council to join an Australian delegation led by Male Champions of Change founder and independent expert to the UN Working Group on Discrimination Against Women, Elizabeth Broderick,” Wynter says.

During the trip Wynter participated in a session held by the German Mission to the UN discussing gender equality in technology, a male-dominated industry where progress on gender equality has stagnated or slipped backwards.

“The low level of female participation has the potential to be accentuated in the future, making it even harder for women to find technology jobs and leadership opportunities. Inequality between the genders will likely follow this trajectory, unless we act now,” she explains.

Wynter says her time in New York made her realise Australia is leading the way on many gender equality fronts. “Our legislation, business policies and general cultural attitudes have improved. There is still work to do, but we should be proud of our progress.”

She says it was an eye-opening and inspiring week. “I was overwhelmed by the strong, intelligent and brave women who came from all over the world to discuss women’s rights. The people I met had a lasting impact on me. Each one of us had our own reasons why we were in New York standing up for these issues, but we shared a common passion and commitment to improving gender equality and women’s rights.”