European market infrastructure provider Euronext announced today the launch of two new indices aimed at offering investors with exposure to companies with strong gender equality performance. According to Euronext, the indices will be the first in a broader family of indices addressing challenges around gender balance in the workplace.

Euronext said that the new indices were developed in response to an increasing demand for “Social” thematic investments, and addressing UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #5, “Gender Equality.”

Camille Leca, Head of ESG at Euronext, said:

“The launch of these indices is representative of Euronext’s corporate culture and values. Our company is diverse and inclusive by nature, and we see all forms of diversity as a key success factor of our federal model. We constantly innovate in our products and services offering to meet investors’ strong demand and need to carry out their ESG transition.”

The new indices, the Euronext Equileap Gender Equality Eurozone 100 and Euronext Equileap Gender Equality France 40, will include 100 Eurozone and 40 French companies, respectively, assessed as demonstrating a strong role in improving gender equality.

Companies are selected for inclusion based on scores provided by gender equality-focused data and insights provider Equileap. Companies are scored across four categories, including gender balance in leadership and workforce; equal compensation and work-life balance; policies promoting gender equality, and; commitment, transparency and accountability. The index also applies activity-based exclusions, and UNGC compliance as well as controversial activities exclusion.

Diana van Maasdijk, CEO at Equileap, said:

“It appears that high-performing companies with the drive to do the right thing when it comes to addressing gender equality at work apply the same ethos to other key ESG criteria. Investors looking to create a better society with equal opportunities for women at work can now use these indices to back high-quality, high-performing companies.”