Latest news with #womensEmpowerment
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
United Nations (UN) Women Executive Board lauds progressive gender equality and women's empowerment work in Zimbabwe
UN Women Executive Board's visit to Zimbabwe from 4-10 May 2025 marked a pivotal moment in the country's ongoing efforts to advance gender equality and women's empowerment. The visit, led by H.E. Ms. Nicola Clase, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sweden to the United Nations and President of the UN Women Executive Board, provided an opportunity to showcase the impact of UN Women's programming in the country while strengthening strategic partnerships with key stakeholders. "I note the strong legal frameworks for gender equality and women's empowerment,'acknowledged Ambassador Nicola Clase, President of the UN Women Executive Board. 'We encourage the government and partners to focus on the effective implementation of these laws.' High-Level Engagements Throughout the week, the delegation engaged with government officials, development partners, civil society organizations, traditional leaders, the private sector, and women's rights organizations to deepen collaboration and assess progress on gender-responsive policies and initiatives. In a productive meeting with the country's president , H.E Emmerson Mnangagwa, there was reaffirmation of Zimbabwe's commitment to gender equality. "We believe gender equality is not only a fundamental right, but also a necessity for national growth. Zimbabwe remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering women and girls,' assured President Mnangagwa. The delegation also met Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, Minister of Women Affairs, Community, and Small and Medium Enterprises Development. She highlighted the government's ongoing initiatives saying,"Zimbabwe has made significant strides in advancing women's rights, and will continue to strengthen policies that ensure women's full participation in economic and social development." Jacob Francis Mudenda, Speaker of Parliament, emphasized the importance of inclusive governance. "Ensuring women's full participation in governance and business will drive Zimbabwe forward into a more inclusive future," he said. Field Visits Showcasing Impact The Executive Board members visited Umzingwane Safe Market, Epworth Safe Market, Maker Space Innovation Hub, and the Knowledge Hub at Rosaria Memorial Trust where the team saw the impact of innovative approaches to supporting women's economic empowerment and safety in informal marketplaces. These engagements demonstrated UN Women's commitment to creating sustainable opportunities for women, improving livelihoods, and fostering gender-responsive practices. Speaking about her transformation as a clothing trader in the market, Sarah Muchengeti had this to say, "The biggest challenge before the Epworth Safe Market was finding a secure and reliable place to work. This initiative gave me a proper workspace, where I can now take larger orders and grow my operation. My vision has changed—I am no longer just working to survive; I am building a legacy. My family now sees me as a successful businesswoman, and my children are inspired by what I have accomplished." Reflections from the Region and Country The visit by the board was a proud moment for the UN Women Zimbabwe team, whose extensive preparations ensured a seamless and impactful experience. Anna Mutavati, Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, emphasized the significance of the engagement, "This visit reinforced the importance of partnerships in driving change. It is inspiring to see the Executive Board acknowledge the progress we've made in Zimbabwe." Fatou Lo, UN Women Zimbabwe Country Representative, who spearheaded the visit, highlighted the collaborative effort involved, "This was a collective achievement, the dedication of our teams and partners made it possible to showcase our work and deepen strategic discussions on gender equality.' Lovenes Makonense, Deputy Country Representative, reflecting on the experience, said, 'Being able to present the tangible impact of our work was incredibly rewarding. The enthusiasm from stakeholders reaffirmed our mission to empower women across all sectors." Looking Ahead As the Executive Board concluded its visit, the momentum gained from these discussions will continue to shape UN Women's programming in Zimbabwe. The visit amplified the power of collaboration and the need for sustained investment in gender equality initiatives. UN Women Zimbabwe remains deeply appreciative of all partners, stakeholders, and government officials who contributed to the success of this visit. As the team reflects on the week-long engagements, one message remains clear: the commitment to empowering women in Zimbabwe is stronger than ever. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women - Africa.
Al Bawaba
15-06-2025
- Business
- Al Bawaba
Burgan Bank Organizes an Event in Appreciation of its female workforce
As part of its steadfast commitment to women's empowerment and promoting it as a societal value, Burgan Bank proudly organized an event for its female workforce under the umbrella of its flagship initiative, 'Empower Her.' This landmark event reaffirmed the Bank's dedication to engaging and inspiring its female employees across all departments and career levels—recognizing their unwavering commitment and vital contributions to the Bank's journey and celebration is a key element of Burgan Bank's comprehensive human capital development strategy and aligns with its rigorous adherence to leading Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards. It also reinforces the Bank's overarching goal of being an employer of choice in the Kuwaiti banking Empower Her initiative embodies Burgan Bank's mission to deliver an excellent customer experience, lead with innovation, contribute to the community, and create meaningful growth opportunities. By nurturing an inclusive and supportive work culture, the Bank translates its fundamental institutional attributes—trust, commitment, excellence, and progression—into practice, ensuring that empowerment becomes a lived experience across all levels of the organization. This is further aligned with the Bank's vision to be the most modern and progressive bank in Kuwait, driven by its employees, customers, and community.'We are proud of our female colleagues who serve as essential pillars of Burgan Bank's achievements. This day is more than just a celebration—it is a heartfelt message of appreciation for every woman who has shaped our journey of progress,' commented Ms. Zahra Boarki, Senior Manager – Culture and Employee Engagement at Burgan Bank.'The event was warmly received by our female employees, who expressed their joy and gratitude for this thoughtful gesture. It truly reflects our inclusive internal culture, which has earned us certification as a Great Place to Work®. At Burgan Bank, we believe that empowering women is not a luxury, but a necessity—critical to achieving balance and sustainability in the workplace.'From her perspective, Ms. Fatma Ahmad, Senior Manager – Learning and Development at Burgan Bank, added: 'Burgan Bank Women's Day aims to celebrate our female employees under the Empower Her initiative. This day forms part of a broader series of programs rolled out throughout the year to support and empower women, ensuring a flexible, enriching, and motivating work environment tailored to their aspirations and needs.''The event featured engaging workshops and dialogue panels, where prominent female leaders shared their experiences and insights on professional growth, personal development, and mental wellness.'Held at Burgan Bank's headquarters, Burgan Bank Women's Day encompassed a diverse array of activities, including workshops, panel discussions, wellness experiences, and a dedicated showcase for female employees to promote their entrepreneurial businesses. The first panel discussion delved into 'Economic Empowerment of Kuwaiti Women,' featuring insights from distinguished speakers: Dr. Al Anoud Al Sharekh, Director of Ibtkar Strategic Consultancy and Associate Fellow at Chatham House MENA Program and the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, and Ms. Danah Faisal AlJasem, General Manager – Corporate Communications at Burgan second panel, titled 'You Are the Source of Your Strength: Mental Wellness and Overcoming Challenges,' featured: Dr. Elham Hamdan, medical doctor and senior healthcare executive, and Ms. Bibi Al-Banai, Branch Manager at Burgan part of the Bank's holistic approach to women's empowerment, the day also featured a Lean-In Circle workshop led by Ms. Fatma Ahmad, titled 'Facilitating Change: What Needs to Shift in Workplaces to Support Women?' The workshop invited women to reflect on key structural and cultural transformations required to foster inclusive address topics of pressing relevance to women's health, the event included informative sessions such as: 'Empower to Prevent: Cervical Cancer Awareness for Every Woman,' led by Dr. Nourah Al-Ibrahim, MD, FRCSC, specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gynecologic Oncology, certified by the Canadian Board, and Assistant Professor and Gynecologic Oncologist at Kuwait University.'Vitality at Every Stage: Enhancing Immunity and Easing Menopause Symptoms,' delivered by Dr. Nada Al Ibrahim, specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Urogynecology, and female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive day concluded with personalized consultations offering expert support in wellness and health:Ms. Huda Al Medlej, wellness life coach and founder of Vitarights GCC, offered individualized sessions focused on deep healing through biophotonic information medicine utilizing advanced German Rola Aranky, dietitian, diabetes educator, and certified personal trainer, provided guidance on achieving holistic physical wellbeing. It is worth noting that Burgan Bank, proudly certified as a Great Place to Work®, remains a vocal and active advocate for women in leadership—paving the way not only within the Bank but also across the financial industry and broader society. Previous initiatives under the 'Empower Her' umbrella include a summer internship program that welcomed 18 young women and a powerful seminar featuring female role models from various sectors in Kuwait—aimed at inspiring and equipping the next generation of leaders.
