Bonds to bridge the gender gap: A practitioner’s guide to using sustainable debt for gender equality

Global debt capital markets can play an important role in financing progress toward gender equality in both the public and private sectors.

This publication provides practical guidance on how to use sustainable bonds to credibly access financing for projects and strategies that advance gender equality objectives and achieve lasting impact.

This guide, developed by UN Women, the International Finance Corporation, and the International Capital Market Association builds on existing global frameworks—the social bond principles, the sustainability bond guidelines, and the sustainability-linked bond principles and provides illustrate examples of gender-related use of proceeds, as well as key performance indicators and sustainability performance targets in the case of sustainability-linked bonds.

This guide supports new and existing bond issuers, borrowers, underwriters, arrangers, and external reviewers to take action to integrate gender equality objectives into sustainable debt products. It is also a resource for investors seeking to understand and support projects and strategies that are designed to advance gender equality.objectives into sustainable debt products.