Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –
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On March 5, 2026, Moscow Exchange, together with the UN Global Compact National Network in Russia, held a roundtable discussion on equal career opportunities and women's economic inclusion as part of the global Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) initiative.
Representatives of the stock exchange, large businesses, and experts and consultants in sustainable development discussed effective practices for overcoming gender stereotypes common to various economic sectors.
The discussion featured the results of a study by the ACRA rating agency and the consulting firm Strategy Partners, which showed that comprehensive career development programs for women are in place at one in five Russian companies, and another 10% are considering implementing them. Furthermore, 42% of companies implement support measures for employees on maternity leave that go beyond legal requirements.
The study's authors also found that the gender employment gap persists globally, with Russia's being lower than the global average and gradually narrowing. However, our country has one of the highest gender pay imbalances: women earn significantly lower salaries even with comparable employment levels. The uneven distribution of household labor remains a key factor limiting career advancement: women spend an average of more than four hours a day on it, while men spend less than two.
Maxim Kochetkov, Head of Sustainable Development at Moscow Exchange:
"Equal access to careers and pay is an important factor in sustainable development and can positively impact business performance. Ultimately, equal career opportunities benefit everyone—individuals, companies, the economy, and the state as a whole. The inclusiveness that many companies are already demonstrating is an investment in the future of the market. Moscow Exchange annually hosts a roundtable on equal opportunities, serving as a platform for open dialogue and collaborative decision-making within the framework of ESG and its social component. We believe that when everyone has the opportunity to realize their potential, business becomes more productive, and the market moves toward greater fairness."
Most roundtable participants from industries such as energy, construction, mining, petrochemicals, metallurgy, and transportation agreed that to achieve sustainable progress in women's employment and career development, companies need to combine recruitment and retention initiatives with family support measures, mentoring, networking, and corporate culture.
In addition, the special rapporteurs addressed the issue of supporting indigenous women, as well as projects of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to ensure equal opportunities in agriculture.
The event concluded with the ceremonial ringing of the stock exchange bell in support of international initiatives to ensure equal career opportunities.
As an issuer, Moscow Exchange adheres to best practices in the area of non-financial reporting disclosure. A new issue was issued in 2025. sixth Sustainable Development ReportThe company operates environmental policy, which defines the basic principles, objectives and priorities of the exchange's activities in the field of environmental protection and nature management.
In February 2026, the Moscow Exchange launched An index of ESG-rated companies, which became the sixth in the exchange's ESG index lineup. The index's launch underscored the importance of Russian companies integrating ESG principles and disclosure for business development.
Contact information for media: 7 (495) 363-3232PR@moex.com
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