The signing event was part of the forum "Balancing the Scales in Business: From Policy to Practice," organized by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) in collaboration with the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) in Ho Chi Minh City on 28/5. A Home Credit Vietnam representative stated that signing the Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs) commitment marks a new step in transforming existing efforts into transparent, measurable, and effective goals.

Company staff. Photo: Home Credit

To date, Vietnam has 257 enterprises participating in this initiative, out of over 3,000 entities in the Asia-Pacific region. Initiated by UN Women, WEPs provide an action framework comprising 7 core principles to help businesses translate gender equality commitments into specific, trackable programs.

Participating enterprises commit to advancing the role of senior leadership in implementing gender equality, ensuring a fair, safe, and health- and welfare-conscious work environment. They also pledge to enable women's learning, capacity building, and career development; integrate gender equality into business operations, supply chains, and communications. Additionally, businesses will engage in community initiatives to promote gender equality, while measuring, disclosing, and reporting results according to agreed criteria.

Ms. Vu Tra My, senior sustainable development manager at Home Credit Vietnam (7th from right), with 9 other enterprises signing the WEPs commitment. Photo: Home Credit

For Home Credit Vietnam, joining WEPs continues a process implemented over many years. According to 2024 data, women comprise over 60% of the company's total workforce. The proportion of female managers reached 40,7%, highlighting women's increasingly prominent role in the management structure. To date, the company has recorded no gender inequality complaints.

Alongside its goal of fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive (DEI) work environment, Home Credit maintains a zero-tolerance policy for discriminatory behavior. It applies competency-based recruitment and talent development processes, moving beyond gender stereotypes. The company focuses on nurturing female talent by offering career development paths and enabling promising individuals to assume key positions, complementing significant investments in senior leadership development programs.

The enterprise focuses on building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive (DEI) work environment. Photo: Home Credit

Concurrently, the company develops training and engagement activities to enhance understanding of gender equality and DEI among employees at all levels. It also extends childcare and family support policies to male employees, emphasizing that these are shared responsibilities, regardless of gender.

Beyond its internal workplace, Home Credit currently expands its support for vulnerable women in the community through the Home for Life project, launched in 2014. Its mission is to empower women to take control of their lives. Over the 4 most recent years, this initiative has helped over 300 disadvantaged women access reliable capital to develop livelihoods, contributing to a stronger economic foundation for society's most vulnerable.

The enterprise launched the Home for Life project in 2014. Photo: Home Credit

In addition to direct capital support, Home Credit regularly organizes financial and livelihood skills training workshops. From 2025, it will also launch a Financial Management Handbook for Women. These activities have reached over 1,900 women to date, helping them gain confidence in managing expenses and making independent financial decisions.

Jakub Kudrna, CEO of Home Credit Vietnam, stated that promoting gender equality is key to the company's strategy implementation and future sustainability. "We commit to ensuring equitable development opportunities for women, both in the workplace and the community, thereby contributing to reducing inequality and fostering sustainable societal development," said Jakub Kudrna.

Hoang Dan