CDI organises ESG workshop on sustainable menstrual practices on International Women's Day - 2023
The event organised as part of the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiative of EQS Group focussed on encouraging and educating women working within the IT-software product industry.
In recent years, businesses have come to embrace the Environmental Social and Developmental (ESG) framework and the idea of sustainability as an operative word in managing risks and opportunities are taking stronger roots. The adoption of ESG framework is, however, a relatively new concept that is still in its nascent stages in the corporate world in India.
On the 8th of March 2023, the EQS group headquartered in Germany with corporate offices in Kochi took its first step toward incorporating the ESG framework. The EQS Group partnered with the Centre for Development Initiatives to organise a roundtable and hands-on workshop for female employees at Kochi on the International Women’s Day (IWD).
Image: participants attending the event at MG Road, Kochi, India.
The event organised as part of the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiative of EQS Group focussed on encouraging and educating women working within the IT-software product industry on the benefits of sustainable menstrual practices. CDI’s knowledge partner Venture Village facilitated the event, implementing a hands-on model to educate, advocate and engage with the participants regarding the advantages of sustainable lifestyles, with a specific emphasis on sustainable menstrual practices.
The event was a resounding success, with the participants gaining valuable insights into sustainable menstrual practices and its impact on health, socio-economic and environmental fronts.
- The aim of the event was to encourage female employees to switch to sustainable menstrual practices, which not only provides significant health benefits but also have a positive impact on the environment and society.
- The organisers also created an online tool which was delivered during the workshop, to calculate each individual’s contribution to reduce global solid waste and carbon footprint by following sustainable menstrual practices.
Impact of the event
The event organised by Centre for Development Initiatives and EQS Group is a significant step towards promoting sustainable menstrual practices and creating awareness among women about their benefits and thereby promoting environmental sustainability and reducing the impact of menstrual waste on the environment. By adopting sustainable practices, women can improve their overall health and wellbeing, save money, and reduce the impact of menstrual waste on the environment. The event is a model for companies, communities and institutions to follow, and we hope that more enterprises will take steps towards creating a more sustainable future.
The year 2023 is a watershed year for CDI as it plans to roll out similar workshops and exercises across Kerala, partnering with Small and Medium Enterprises(SMEs), startups and corporate entities to promote sensitised and sustainable workplaces in the State. The focus of CDI will be to not only inform and advocate but also implement and measure sustainability related interventions within organisations, ranging from ESG reporting standards, contribution to the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) and reducing both overall institutional as well as individual carbon footprint.
“The entire programme was very engaging and educational. Even though we are aware of menstruation, it was enlightening to learn about the various perspectives and the social impact this seemingly insignificant personal action can have on the community at large, socially and environmentally.”
-Gopika PK, Technical Recruiter(INDIA), EQS Group