The University of Hyogo was certified as a Hyogo Kobe Women’s Activity Promotion Business by the City of Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture at the certification ceremony (Mimosa Forum) hosted at the Hyogo House on Friday, March 10. Vice President Sakashita of the University of Hyogo was present and received the certificate from Hyogo Governor Saito and Kobe Mayor Hisamoto.

The Hyogo Kobe Women’s Activity Promotion (Mimosa Business) certification system was established in November 2022 in cooperation between Hyogo Prefecture and Kobe City. It is a system that certifies businesses that take efforts such as creating inclusive working environments and promoting the hiring and employment of female employees. With this first certification, the university is the 70th business to be certified in the prefecture.

To be certified, a business needs to satisfy at least 14 of 20 items under the four pillars of state of business initiatives, career development support, promotion of hiring of female employees, and promotion of employing female employees.

Through the advancement of and adherence to this system, the University of Hyogo aims to improve its appeal and make further advancements in SDGs and diversity.

The mimosas drawn at the top of the certification mark are the symbol of International Women’s Day (March 8), which was established by the UN. That nickname and design were given to this system for businesses that proactively tackle creating welcoming workplaces for women.

After the opening remarks from Prefectural Governor Saito and Kobe Deputy Mayor Obara at the Mimosa Forum, the certificate presentation ceremony was held.

Thereafter, the keynote speech was given by Masae Ishikawa, Director of the UN Women Japan Liaison Office about “Gender Equality and Female Empowerment – Duties Required by Businesses in Order to Achieve SDGs”.

In her address, she mentioned the necessity of gender equality in constructing a sustainable future and that gender equality is at the center of SDGs. Not being able to achieve gender equality would put the actual circumstances and realization of all SDGs goals at risk.

She introduced the principles of female empowerment and noted that promoting gender equality and female empowerment with management at its core is a business itself.

Thereafter, she presented the measures and gave a discussion about the physical frameworks, organizational frameworks, and skills of certified businesses.