Gender equality is a key priority at the ECOM Group. For example, women play a crucial role in cocoa farming, yet their contributions are often overlooked. There are significant disparities between men and women in areas such as income, access to skills training and financial resources. Women frequently lack direct control over household income or access to land, limiting their opportunities for empowerment and growth. 

To combat gender disparity, we have partnered with Equal Origins and used their "Gender Equity Index" (GEI) tool, allowing us to identify opportunities for companies and their supply chain partners to enhance gender equitable service provision. Across our cocoa origin operations, the GEI has already provided valuable insights and recommendations, laying the groundwork for tailored Gender Equity Development Plans and the development of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) strategies that are tailored to each origin’s specific context. 

By the end of 2024, 45% of our cocoa origin-sources supply chains were covered by the GEI, and 36% have implemented plans in place. By 2025, we want to ensure that 100% of ECOM origin-sourced supply chains are covered by the Gender Equity Index (GEI) and improvement plans by the end of 2025