Mallesons Stephen Jaques has become the second Australian law firm to sign the UN Women's Empowerment Principles.

The principles have seven core requirements of signatories, including the requirement that they measure and publically report on progress to achieve gender equality. Mallesons chief executive partner, Robert Milliner, told the attendees at the official signing of the principles that "what gets measured gets done”.

In attendance at the event was UN Women's assistant secretary general, Lakshmi Puri and UN Women's executive director (Australia) Julie McKay ,as well as representatives from a number of the firm’s clients. “We have signed up to help us challenge ourselves, ensure best practice, test actions, track progress and be held accountable,” said Milliner.

Allens Arthur Robinson was the first Australian law firm to sign the principles earlier this year, however, no news on when or what the firm will be reporting in relation to gender equality was available at time of publishing. Milliner said Mallesons had not yet mapped out how and when it would publically report on its progress, but that they would meet that requirement. “It was one of the reasons to sign on,” said Milliner. “If you have an obligation to report it, you can use that as a lever for change. Good intents are not sometimes the most affective levers.” The firm has been measuring gender equality for some time, but not in a public sense, he added.

Mallesons head of diversity, Neil Cockroft, added that the principles are a framework for discussion and agreement about where the firm should focus its efforts. “The principles will create a benchmark in terms of what else we should and could be doing, for instance in the area of applied diversity. We have a couple of initiatives under consideration at present,” he said. "Importantly, being a signatory to the principles sends a strong signal to our staff, our clients, and our community partners that we are committed to achieving full gender equality in our firm.”

Milliner and Cockroft added that they would be engaging with the firm’s clients, service providers and partners to encourage them to sign up as well. “Mallesons has an opportunity and a responsibility to play a part in the efforts to achieve equality,” said Milliner. They [the principles] articulate very well why improving gender equality and diversity in the workplace is good for business. Whilst most of us may believe that the principles represent the ‘right thing to do’, living up to them generates commercial benefit and competitive advantage.”

The UN Women’s Empowerment Principles
• Establish high level corporate leadership for gender equality
• Treat all women and men fairly at work - respect and support human rights and non-discrimination
• Ensure the health, safety and well-being of all women and men workers
• Promote education, training and development for women
• Implement enterprise development, supply chain and marketing practices that empower women
• Promote equality through community initiatives and advocacy
• Measure and publicly report on progress to achieve gender equality.