Gap considers the fair representation of women across its workforce that is 76% female. Both the company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer are women. It also publicly discloses the gender composition across various levels of leadership at least annually. The company currently maintains gender balance – 40-60% women – among its board members (50%) and senior managers (59%). However, gender diversity is lacking among senior executives and in middle management, with 70% of these positions being filled by women.
Gap addresses the systemic discrimination that women face and offers professional development programmes with specific support for women through its Equality and Belonging network group GapWIL (Women in Leadership). The company also supports its suppliers in offering professional development opportunities to women workers through its Personal Advancement & Career Enhancement (P.A.C.E.) programme. To further promote gender leadership in the supply chain, Gap requires suppliers to have a non-discrimination policy that explicitly protects pregnant and married women workers.
Though no details were found regarding recognition agreements with local trade unions or collective bargaining agreements currently in place, Gap requires suppliers to prohibit intimidation, harassment, retaliation and violence against trade union members. At a national level, Gap partnered with The Arbitration Council and ILO Better Facilities Cambodia to lead a workshop for Cambodian suppliers and the unions represented in their facilities to improve mutual understanding of freedom of association, workplace cooperation, and dispute-prevention and resolution mechanisms.
While Gap provides limited information on whether it has committed to procuring from women-owned businesses, it is taking steps to increase its diversity of suppliers overall. In line with this, it launched a supplier inclusion programme that provides a framework to increase its work with companies that are owned by or employ minorities, veterans, women, and those who identify as LGBTQ.