Principle 2: Specificity

The investment strategy and approach can be tailored to reflect geographical and socio-economic dynamics. This includes material JEDI issues that are of high strategic significance, such as workplace equity, flexible policies, inclusive cultures and diverse pipelines.

Actions: Investment Process

Tailor the investment process with a contextually-relevant gender and JEDI lens

Incorporate the relevant and context-appropriate frame across the investment process. For example, in South Africa, the Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment Act focuses on historically disadvantaged groups. The investment screening process can be refined along lines of inquiry that incorporate these specific dimensions.

Resource

Thomson Reuters, Practical Law
Investing in South Africa

Use specific data indicators

Adjust the portfolio impact measurement data set and tools to include relevant ethnicity and racial data indicators. This dataset can be useful along the investment process from sourcing to screening to selection and post investment support.

Framework

ILPA
Diversity in Action Framework

Actions: Organisation

Dive deep on the implications of systemic issues

Address the root causes, structural barriers and inequities that put women and other underrepresented groups at a significant disadvantage. These barriers include limited role mobility and inflexible work policies, and can impact the make-up of the investment team, the board, and the percentage of women and underrepresented groups in the value chain. A nuanced understanding of these factors can support more targeted strategies.

Resource

WCM
The Equity Equation: A Roadmap to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Canadian Finance

Develop context-specific policies and interventions

When thinking about attracting a quality and diverse investment team, the investment firm could consider relevant parental leave policies alongside an understanding of underlying social norms. For example, in a landscape analysis on inclusive health in India, the advisory firm could ensure the allocator considers elements like caste, educational attainment, and ethnic groups.

Research

Regulating Diversity
Promoting gender equality through regulation: the case of parental leave

Spotlight

Dalberg
Building a New, Powerful, and Representative Anti-Slavery Movement Led by Women and Survivors

Kataly Foundation
Provides mission-aligned grants, loans, guarantees, or lines of credit, and non-financial support to ensure that Black and Brown people have the resources, power and agency they need.