SM Investments Corporation (SMIC), DMCI Holdings Inc., and Semirara Mining and Power Corporation are among the 380 companies across 11 sectors included in the 2021 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (GEI).
The GEI expanded in 2021 to represent 44 countries and regions, including firms headquartered in Indonesia and Bermuda for the first time.
Companies range from a variety of industries, including automotive, banking, consumer services, engineering and construction and retail.
The GEI brings transparency to gender-related practices and policies at publicly listed companies increasing the breadth of environmental, social, governance (ESG) data available to investors.
The comprehensive, transparent GEI scoring methodology allows investors to assess company performance and compare across industry peer groups.
The reference index measures gender equality across five pillars: female leadership and talent pipeline, equal pay and gender pay parity, inclusive culture, sexual harassment policies, and pro-women brand.
SMIC, DMCI Holdings and SMPC were included in this year’s index for scoring at or above a global threshold established by Bloomberg to reflect a high level of disclosure and overall performance across the framework’s five pillars.
“We are pleased to be recognized again and likewise extend our appreciation to Bloomberg. We believe in upholding equal opportunities for our people that promote a better workplace,” SMIC President/ Chief Executive Officer Frederic C. DyBuncio said.
“The companies included in the 2021 GEI are expanding the ESG data universe to include gender-related data that investors are demanding today,” said Peter T. Grauer, Chairman of Bloomberg.
He noted that, “Their commitment to disclosure is making the business case for inclusion, and driving transparency in the markets.”
“We recognize the value and contributions of women across the DMCI group of companies. They occupy key positions in our Board, management and workforce. With our companies’ inclusion in the GEI, we hope to provide more women with the opportunities and support they need to reach their full potential,” said DMCI Holdings and SMPC chairman and CEO Isidro A. Consunji.
Through disclosure of gender-related metrics using the GEI framework, the firms included in the 2021 GEI have committed to provide a comprehensive look at their investment in workplace gender equality and the communities in which they operate, raising the bar of what should be expected from other companies within the same industry.
Both the framework and the GEI are voluntary and have no associated costs. The GEI is a reference index and is not for use as a financial benchmark. The index is not ranked. While all public companies are encouraged to disclose supplemental gender data for their company’s investment profile on the Bloomberg Terminal, those that have a market capitalization of USD1 billion are eligible for inclusion in the index.