The Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX) in collaboration with the CFA Society South Africa recently hosted and celebrated the International Women’s Day, Annual Ring the Bell for Gender Equality to raise awareness on gender equality.
Over the years more than 100 stock exchanges and financial services institutions have participated in this global initiative to foster gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace and in our communities and the benefits of doing so.
The event was under the theme; ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’. Namibia is ranked the most gender-equal country in Africa, and the eighth most gender-equal country in the world.
The Namibian Stock Exchange recognises the women in financial markets and has taken pride and is committed to celebrating Ring the Bell for Gender Equality annually during the International Women’s Day.
Hertha !Gontes, CEO and Head of Distribution at Sisedi Investment Group, delivered the keynote address at the event and she emphasised the significance of economic empowerment for women, particularly the minority black girl child.
!Gontes spoke on the three sub-pillars to women’s economic empowerment which are access to income and assets; control of monetary and other gains from these assets; and power relations in decision-making.
“In simpler terms, economic inclusion and empowerment aims to increase access to money and assets available to women, ensure that women have full control of these assets and their gains, and that women have the power to decide on how they use such gains. Women’s economic inclusion and empowerment is the deliberate effort to build the capacity of women to actively participate and contribute to the economy and livelihood processes and value these contributions.”
!Gontes also shared data on gender disparities in Namibia, highlighting areas for improvement and reaffirming Sisedi Investment Group’s commitment to advancing gender equality through initiatives such as the Sisedi Mentorship Programme.
“We launched this programme with a clear vision in mind: to empower the next generation of women leaders in finance, particularly the minority black girl child, to break free from the chains of societal expectations and soar to new heights of success and fulfillment.”
