4C Gender Equality

In order to improve gender equality and women's empowerment in the coffee sector globally, 4C developed criteria that were reviewed by external gender experts and compiled into an add-on.

Currently, through its criteria, the 4C Code of Conduct works on awareness, provides basic decent working conditions and rights for all workers. From the add-on, the 4C aims to gradually work on awareness (recognizing existing inequalities), accountability (recognizing gender patterns and considering the specific needs of women and men) until it reaches transformation. There are 14 additional criteria covering 32 control points.

This complement allows producers and companies to improve their practices and make credible claims for certified sustainable coffee that promotes gender equality, thus highlighting the uniqueness of their product and exploring an opportunity to market it to new markets.

What is assessed during the 4C Gender Equality certification?

Compliance with 4C's core sustainability criteria and the desire to analyze and close gender gaps (or confirm their absence) through reliable third-party certification are assessed. Once a 4C Unit submits an application to participate in this voluntary extension of 4C certification, it becomes part of the regular certification and audit procedures established, including on-site audits, annual updates, and improvement plans.

See below for the path to implement the Gender Equality complement:

• Awareness: Recognizes gender inequalities, but does not challenge them.
• Recognition: Acknowledges gender norms and considers the specific needs of women and men.
• Transformation: Works to change social norms and tackles the cause of gender inequality at the root.

Why Certify 4C Gender Equality?

• Allows you to make credible claims for certified sustainable coffee that promotes gender equality.
• Gain exclusivity of your products, exploring an opportunity to sell to new markets.
• Increase farm profitability since women will have greater participation in training on business management, diversification and leadership.
• Improve management by allowing women working on farms to have access to good agricultural practices.

Why choose QIMA/WQS for Gender Equality certification?

• Our team, with over 30 years of experience in the food industry supply chain, is ready to deliver quality end-to-end solutions for your business.
• Specializing in the food area, QIMA/WQS has the structure designed to get you started quickly, and is available to answer any questions that may arise along the way.
• Experienced and approved local auditors for various programs, specialized in all areas of quality and food safety.
• More than 9,000 satisfied customers in all stages of the food chain are proof of the quality, dedication, and success offered by QIMA/WQS.