First Bank of Nigeria Limited has said that it would be organising the first women network, mentoring, coaching and sponsorship pillar webinar, an initiative to address the gender gap and increase the participation of women at all levels within the organisation as part of effort to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD).
It also stated that it is dedicating the month of March to the celebration of women across the world in commemoration of IWD. IWD is celebrated every March 8 and this year’s theme is ‘Embrace Equity’.
It explained that it is committed to empowering women and the promotion of socio-economic inclusion of women in the society.
“As a member of UN Women, FirstBank employs the relevant women empowerment tools including the Women Empowerment Principles Gender Gap Analysis Tool in the process of assessing its performance and provides progress reports that feeds into the WEPs performance indicators.
“FirstBank has a ratio of about 39 per cent: 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, FirstBank is partnering with UN Women on 15 March 2023 and is set to play a key role in a scheduled event driven by UN Women that will 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 is “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality, ” the Bank in a statement disclosed.
Speaking ahead of the events, the Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, FirstBank, 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, FirstBank 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 inScience Technology Entrepreneurship, Arts and Mathematics.
“We are deliberate about partnering to ensure more impact – ensuring that we touch as many women as possible in women’s month and beyond.’’