EY SA bags six awards at Business Engage's Gender Mainstream Awards

Sponsored by global professional services firm PwC, Johannesburg-based networking services firm Business Engage has held the latest edition of its Gender Mainstream Awards, three of which were bagged by PwC’s Big Four accounting and advisory rival EY, alongside a number of other firms that had demonstrated excellence in the area. 

The event was held at the TicketPro Dome in Johannesburg, and was attended by 700 delegates. The Gender Mainstreaming awards were launched six years ago by networking firm Business Engage, with the specific objective of promoting the business case for gender mainstreaming in South Africa.

The issue is one that has increasingly come to the fore in South Africa in recent times, particularly since it came to light that women in the country currently struggle with a glass ceiling blocking the senior executive level. Despite increased female representation in the workplace, most women miss out on promotions beyond a certain level.

The awards cater to the private sector in South Africa, with hopes to applaud and recognise firms that have attained a commendable level of gender mainstreaming. Big Four accounting and advisory firm EY was amongst the list of winners for as many as six of the awards presented on the night.

Categories in which the firm excelled include ‘Women on Boards,’ ‘Women on Executive Committees in Multinationals,’ ‘Equal Representation & Participation,’ ‘Diversity & Participation,’ and ‘Economic Empowerment.’ Telecoms giant Vodacom was another firm to feature in many categories.

EY’s considerable representation comes as no surprise, given its sea of activity in the field of gender diversity in South Africa in recent times. One major initiative taken by EY in South Africa is the Entrepreneurial Winning Women Programme, which offered training and financial support to 15 women who have demonstrated innovative excellence in their entrepreneurial ventures.

Business Engage is a Partner of Brand South Africa – a firm established in 2002 to promote the image and branding profile of South Africa. Stakeholder Relations Manager at Brand South Africa George Khoza was present at the awards and commented, “Brand South Africa is in full support of giving public recognition for good practice and excellence in tackling gender mainstreaming.”