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Sae-A Trading Joins UN Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) to Advance Gender Equality in the Workplace

Sae-A Trading participated in the Korea Leaders Summit 2024, hosted by the UN Global Compact Korea Network, to announce its membership in the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs).

The photo shows a video presentation highlighting Sae-A Trading’s various women-friendly programs.

[Photo courtesy of Sae-A Trading]

Sae-A Trading, one of the world’s largest apparel manufacturers, has signed onto the United Nations’ Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) as part of its commitment to strengthening ESG management.

The WEPs are a joint initiative by the UN Global Compact (UNGC) and UN Women, launched in 2010 to advance women’s rights and promote gender equality in workplaces and communities worldwide. This initiative aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5, which focuses on achieving gender equality.

A Commitment to Sustainable Growth
Saila Kim, Vice President of Sae-A Trading, remarked, “By joining WEPs, Sae-A Trading underscores its dedication to gender equality and diversity as core business values. Empowering women and fostering equal opportunities are essential to driving sustainable growth. We will continue to cultivate a corporate culture where every employee feels respected and valued.”

The WEPs outline seven key principles aimed at promoting gender equality. These include high-level leadership for gender inclusion, workplace non-discrimination, equal opportunities, ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of employees, and fostering women’s professional development. As of November 2024, over 10,287 companies globally, including 78 in South Korea, have joined the initiative.

Sae-A Trading is committed to implementing these seven WEPs principles by fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across its organization. These efforts ensure that gender equality, mutual respect, and human rights remain integral to its operations.

Creating a Gender-Inclusive Workplace
With women comprising more than 60% of its workforce and holding the majority of executive roles, Sae-A Trading has long been a leader in creating a gender-inclusive workplace. The company supports work-life balance through programs such as flexible on-site childcare and the “Happy Mint” counseling initiative, which provides mental health support to employees.

Building on these efforts, Sae-A Trading plans to introduce additional policies in 2025, including flexible work hours and paid maternity checkup leave. The company is also actively encouraging male employees to utilize parental leave and paternity benefits to increase participation in these programs.

Vice President Kim concluded, “As a global corporate leader, we will continue to uphold our responsibility to advance gender equality, strengthen employee rights, and foster an inclusive culture.”

Through its commitment to WEPs, Sae-A Trading is not only championing gender equality but also reinforcing its position as a socially responsible global enterprise dedicated to sustainable growth.