This report addresses the issue of gender-based violence (GBV) and the role private investors can play in mitigating it. The report opens by providing context on GBV, with one in three women worldwide experiencing physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime, and 35% experiencing violence (not including harassment) by any perpetrator. To tackle this societal issue, investors are encouraged to adopt a values-aligned approach, an ESG-integrated approach, a thematic strategy approach, or a catalytic impact strategies approach.

The values-aligned approach enables investors to elect which industries, sectors, or companies to screen out (negative screens) and to apply positive attributes or tilts to better align with their values. Additionally, investors can actively participate in shareholder engagement. The report acknowledges that gender-based violence is pervasive, and while removing GBV-enabling companies from a portfolio is impossible, removing those where gender-based violence is most prevalent and harmful is feasible.

The ESG-integrated approach targets alignment between investor values and investment decision making. First, investors must understand and evaluate gender-based violence patterns in industries and companies. Second, they must engage with the companies to encourage them to engage in positive gender equity practices and openly disclose gender-based data. Consequently, investors must evaluate industry-specific GBV analysis and incorporate gender-based violence risk findings into the evaluation of companies. For example, investors must understand how the presence of gender-based violence within a company or experienced by employees outside of work impacts the performance of the company.

The thematic approach offers investors a more targeted approach to investing in specific solutions where the opportunity is such that a strong return to investors can be supported without compromising impact. Thematic Strategies are implemented in private markets, with an anticipated attractive market rate of return. Furthermore, the thematic approach offers investors a more targeted approach to tackling gender-based violence.

The Catalytic Impact Strategy Approach focuses on collaboration between private investors, sponsors, and stakeholders to achieve gender-based violence mitigation. Financial innovation can play a key role in unlocking capital needed to invest in solutions and driving systemic change. Investors are urged to direct their capital towards trusted impact investing managers or industry-specific funds that target gender-based violence in public and private markets.