Telecommunications giant MTN Group, accelerating its efforts to drive gender equality, has partnered with United Nations (UN) Women and joined the HeForShe Alliance.

MTN is focusing on three priorities, one of which is achieving gender equity by no later than 2030, with a target of 50% women in the workforce from a 2021 base of 39%.

“Our efforts on gender equity extend to the executive leadership groups and the boards in our governance structures,” says MTN Group president and CEO Ralph Mupita.

The second focus area is higher representation of women in technology roles, with a goal of at least 30% by 2030, from the current 17%, while the third focus area is to close gender pay gaps across its businesses.

“Partnering with the HeForShe Alliance will help us accelerate our efforts to create an environment where women thrive and have a deep sense of belonging in MTN,” he explains.

The partnership, a $1.6-million commitment over a period of five years, will see the group accelerate its efforts to advance gender equality.

Members of the HeForShe Alliance aim to develop the largest set of scalable and shareable solutions for gender equality’s most pressing challenges, spearhead transformative change across countries, companies, campuses and communities.

“MTN’s approach to gender equality is not only about the women in the business but about the girls and women in broader society. Working with UN Women, MTN will develop and upskill women and girls to ensure they can actively participate in the digital economy,” Mupita continues.

The HeForShe Alliance stems from the global HeForShe solidarity movement, a flagship initiative of UN entity for gender equality UN Women that invites men and boys as allies for a more equal world.

“This international movement engages men and boys through programmes and partnerships, with the aim of accelerating women’s economic empowerment, supporting women’s role in peace and security processes, advancing women’s leadership and eliminating gender-based violence.”