Bank reinforces commitment to empowering women

Towards commemorating the 2023 International Women’s Day (IWD) and promoting the socio-economic inclusion of women in the society, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, has dedicated the month of March for the celebration of women across the world. 

Kicking off the series of internal activities designed to celebrate women is The First Women Network (FWN), Mentoring, Coaching and Sponsorship Pillar Webinar.

Themed: ‘Embrace Equity,’ the bank would, on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, join the rest of the world to celebrate the 2023 IWD.

As a member of UN Women, First Bank employs relevant women empowerment tools including the Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Gender Gap Analysis Tool in the process of assessing its performance and provides progress reports that feed into the WEPs performance indicators.

First Bank has a ratio of about 39:61 per cent female to men employees while 32 per cent women in management driving a deliberate policy consistent with the WEPs – Equal Opportunity, Inclusion, and Nondiscrimination.

In line with this commitment, First Bank is partnering with UN Women in March 15, 2023 and set to play a key role in a scheduled event driven by UN Women that would showcase young women and men between the ages of 18-35 in Nigeria who are using technological innovations and tools to promote gender equality, women’s empowerment and inclusion.

This is in line with the UN International Women’s Day theme for 2023, “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality.’’

Speaking ahead of the events, Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, First Bank, Folake Ani-Mumuney, said, “We remain committed to diversity and inclusion as well as women empowerment through digital education and the provision of opportunities for women to access digital tools to bridge the gender digital divide and achieve gender equality.

“Therefore, as in previous years, First Bank has dedicated March 2023 as a month set aside to celebrate women and all their remarkable achievements over the years which include their leadership roles and pace-setting standards in Science Technology Entrepreneurship, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM). We are deliberate about partnering to ensure more impact – ensuring that we touch as many women as possible in Women’s Month and beyond.”