The B Corps breaking the bias for women everywhere

We are well into the so-called roaring 2020s, and still no country on Earth has reached gender parity.

And according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2021, another generation of women will have to wait for gender parity, with the global gender gap having increased from 99.5 years to 135.6 years due to the pandemic and related economic downturn.

While, around here, March is B Corp Month, around the world, it is also Women’s History Month and today marks the ever-critical International Women’s Day (IWD). A global day designed to celebrate and acknowledge the vast contributions and achievements of women worldwide, this day is also a call to arms to progress gender equity and create a more just world for all. 

IWD makes the clarion call for collective action and demands shared ownership for driving gender equity from government to business and everywhere in between. Whether deliberate or unconscious, knowing that bias exists isn’t enough. Action is needed, if we don’t want to be another generation behind parity this time next year.

Let’s take a look behind just some of the many businesses smashing stereotypes and redefining gender norms across the B Corp community in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand and how you can support them to make the world better and bias-free for all.

Bs are doing better than most when it comes to gender equality

According to 2021 data, women-owned businesses are more likely to certify as B Corps, and B Corps are:

• 25% women-owned and twice as likely to have majority women management
• 67% more likely to have conducted a pay equity analysis by gender, race/ethnicity, or other demographic factors — and if necessary to have implemented equal compensation improvement plans

B Corps are also, from 2020 data:

• 68% more likely to be majority women workers than ordinary businesses
• 19% more likely to have equal average compensation between non-managing men and women workers in comparison to ordinary businesses
• 20% more likely for the average compensation to be equal for men and women managers in comparison to ordinary businesses
• 1.1 times more likely to have majority women management than ordinary businesses
• 55% more likely to have 91+ days of paid parental leave in comparison to ordinary businesses

While there is still such a long way to go, there are some good signs pointing towards the fact that B Corps are doing better than ordinary businesses when it comes to gender equality and parity.

Five inspiring B Corps walking the walk on gender equality

1. Dignity NZ is making period products accessible and it’s about bloody time

There is a powerful movement afoot, tackling period poverty around the world to support the millions of people who menstruate but cannot afford menstrual supplies, as well as promoting sustainable and more eco-friendly alternatives in the face of climate change. There have even been organisations instituting menstrual leave policies, making the case that it is an essential key to unlocking gender equality.

Similar to TOMS’ buy one: give one model for shoes, Dignity was founded by two women on a mission to provide free period products to all people without access in Aotearoa. Their corporate partners, including ANZ, Cigna, Xero and Flick Electric, purchase period products to put in their bathrooms and they donate the equivalent to those in need through schools, youth and community organisations. By also providing organic period products, Dignity is helping to remove plastic, synthetics and toxins from bodies and the environment.

Jacinta Gulasekharam & Miranda Hitchings, Co-Founders of Dignity NZ

2. Best of the breast with The Very Good Bra

B Corp The Very Good Bra is a woman-owned business founded in Bondi Beach to address the problem of clothing textile waste. With bras being amongst the most toxic garments on the planet, The Very Good Bra has created the world’s first fully compostable, super-comfortable bra in 27 proper sizes, with everything including elastic, sewing thread and labelling being made from 100% botanically circular materials.

“The [Certification] process has brought a whole heap of learning and invaluable structure to my business, which is always the last thing to be formalised when you’re battling the day to day of a manufacturing and online business whose operation works across many different countries.”

– Stephanie Devine, Founder of The Very Good Bra

Hear more from The Very Good Bra’s Founder about their Certification and her tips to aspiring B Corps on the blog.

3. Smashing stereotypes with Ladies Talk Money

Not all women-focused B Corps or initiatives have to do with periods and bras (though those things are incredibly important). There are also Bs like Pure Finance, who with their free education platform ‘Ladies Talk Money’ are trying to even the financial playing field and secure the financial futures of women, one conversation at a time.

Passionate about creating a more ethical and equal financial system, alongside another B Corp Fox & Hare, the Ladies Talk Money team regularly invites women to ‘sit on the couch’ and have a conversation about money to normalise women discussing topics like superannuation and investing that, for too long, have been the domain of men. 

Determined to make the business of money, ‘earning it, investing it, being in charge of it, and mastering it’ just as much women’s work as the unpaid care and domestic work women have been performing for centuries, Ladies Talk Money is shaking up what it looks like to be women in finance in a big way.

Ladies Talk Money – Chandel Brandimarti (Pure Finance) & Jessica Brady (Fox & Hare Co-Founder)

4. Roasting gender inequality with 23 Degrees

While coffee might not be your ‘cup of tea’ so to speak, 23 Degrees Coffee Roasters is for the days when life sucks, making sure your coffee never does. Founded by women, 23 Degrees’ is passionate about giving talented smallholder coffee farmers, women coffee growers and independent family farms, a fairer share of a cup of coffee.

“The concept of moving from a win/lose to win/win playing field resonated with us. Why would one have to lose for another to win? We were convinced we could do better. And our B Corp journey began.”

– Tina Wendel, Founder and Director of 23 Degrees Coffee Roasters

Their supply chain is built on transparency, partnerships, ethical pricing and quality, and they are committed to sourcing at least 50% of their coffee from women coffee growers and reinvesting funds and time into social projects. Now that’s a good way to power your work day.

5. If i=Change, then we=transformation

If you haven’t come across i=Change (iEC) yet, you’re going to want to pay attention right about now. A unique, innovative cause-marketing ecosystem for online retailers, iEC enables a retailer to give back and receive the business benefits of doing so. Focused on NGO partners that support women and girls, iEC is helping them unleash their potential.

“Investing in women generates some of the highest possible returns and their empowerment is proven to be one of the greatest drivers of economic growth and social stability globally.”

Started by Jeremy Meltzer, a social entrepreneur and voice for women’s rights globally, he was moved to action while living in Cuba and witnessing extraordinary rates of violence against women, which he felt were somewhat accepted or considered ‘normal.’ After meeting with NGOs and communities in many countries around the world, he believes the solution lies in engaging men, challenging the dominant versions of masculinity, modelling respectful relationships, and funding best-practice NGOs.

On that note, may we renew our commitments and our actions to creating a world free from bias, stereotypes, and discrimination this International Women’s Day. A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. A world that is better for all.

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