Dual-listed Sibanye-Stillwater and dual-listed Gold Fields have been included in the Bloomberg 2020 Gender-Equality Index (GEI).

The companies are two of only 325 companies globally, and two of only eight South African companies, over 11 sectors, which qualified to be included in index.

Other mining companies with a presence in Africa that made the index are Anglo American Platinum, AngloGold Ashanti, Iamgold, Impala Platinum and Kumba Iron Ore.

The GEI tracks the financial performance of public companies that are committed to supporting gender equality through policy development, representation and transparency.

The reference index measures gender equality across five pillars, mainly female leadership and talent pipeline, equal pay and gender pay parity, inclusive culture, sexual harassment policies and pro-women brand.

Nearly 6 000 companies across 84 countries and regions participated in the most recent assessment.

Bloomberg chairperson Peter T Grauer said that, through disclosure of gender-related metrics using the GEI framework, the firms included in the 2020 GEI provided a comprehensive look at their investment in workplace gender equality and the communities in which they operate.

“Sibanye was 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,” he said.

For Gold Fields, this marks the second year running that it has been included in the GEI.

“Working in five countries with nine mines and one project, diversity is key to our success. Over the past 18 months, we have focused on creating a truly inclusive workplace by launching a group diversity and inclusion strategy. Being included in the GEI for the second year, shows that we are on the right track,” commented Gold Fields people and organisational effectiveness executive VP Rosh Bardien.

Across its global workforce, 20% of Gold Fields’ employees are women (2018: 19%), with 20% of management positions held by females (2018: 18%).

Gold Fields was 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 pillars.

The GEI surveys companies in 42 countries and regions across 50 different industry sectors with the aim of encouraging companies to disclose company statistics and practices as an important first step in supporting gender equality globally.