LVMH, the owner of Benefit Cosmetics, Make Up For Ever and Givenchy Parfums, has signed a letter of commitment to support gender equality by joining the Task Force established by the Davos World Economic Forum.
The move follows French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement in January that France would be the first European country to support the forum’s initiative to define a three-year plan to promote best practice in gender equality.
Antoine Arnault, an LVMH board member, said: “LVMH views gender equality as both natural and essential, a social objective and at the same time an asset that enhances competitiveness.
“We owe it to our 145,000 employees – of whom 73% are women – to make a strong commitment to driving progress.
“I am delighted that our group which, through our EllesVMH programme, has already introduced many initiatives to promote gender equality, is taking the lead alongside our five partners in deploying this important international effort in France.
“I believe this initiative is especially consistent with the actions we have recently taken regarding working relations with fashion models and their well-being.”
The signing took place at the headquarters of Gecina – another company to make the same commitment – during a visit by the French President.
A working group will now consult other companies to establish proposals to submit to government.
