Paragraph 1: Wema Bank’s Commitment to Women’s Empowerment
Wema Bank, a leading financial institution in Nigeria renowned for its innovation, has announced a comprehensive program of activities to mark International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025. This initiative underscores Wema Bank’s deep-seated commitment to gender equality and inclusion, positioning the bank as a champion for women’s advancement. The planned events and activities reflect the bank’s recognition of the crucial role women play in society and the economy, and its dedication to fostering an environment where women can thrive. The bank has chosen the theme, "Harnessing Innovation & Technology To Accelerate Financial Inclusion for Women," highlighting the importance of leveraging technological advancements to empower women economically.
Paragraph 2: IWD 2025 Event Highlights
The centerpiece of Wema Bank’s IWD 2025 celebration will be a major event held in Lagos, focusing on the transformative potential of innovation and technology in furthering financial inclusion for women. This event will serve as a platform for discussions, knowledge sharing, and networking, bringing together key stakeholders to explore how technology can be harnessed to bridge the gender gap in access to financial services. A highlight of the event will be the showcase of the Wema Women Network’s Big Sister Project, a mentorship program designed to support and empower women. This initiative exemplifies Wema Bank’s dedication to fostering a supportive community for women’s professional and personal growth.
Paragraph 3: Recognizing Contributions to Gender Equality
The IWD 2025 event will also feature the HeForShe Awards, recognizing male employees who have actively championed women’s empowerment within Wema Bank. This award underscores the importance of allyship and male engagement in achieving gender equality. By acknowledging the contributions of male colleagues, Wema Bank reinforces its commitment to creating a workplace culture that values and promotes inclusivity. The awards also serve as an inspiration for others to actively participate in fostering a more equitable environment.
Paragraph 4: Month-Long Celebration of Women
Wema Bank’s commitment to IWD extends beyond the main event, encompassing a series of activities planned throughout March to celebrate and reward women across Nigeria. This sustained engagement demonstrates the bank’s dedication to creating a lasting impact on women’s lives. The extended program of activities allows for broader reach and engagement, ensuring that the message of empowerment resonates throughout the month and beyond. These activities will likely include workshops, seminars, and other initiatives designed to uplift and empower women in various aspects of their lives.
Paragraph 5: Wema Bank’s Vision for Women’s Empowerment
Moruf Oseni, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Wema Bank, articulated the bank’s vision for women’s empowerment, emphasizing the importance of integrating technological solutions into sustainable development strategies. He highlighted the bank’s commitment to developing innovative approaches to accelerate women’s empowerment, particularly through its women-focused proposition, SARA by Wema. This initiative provides tailored financial products and services to meet the specific needs of women, demonstrating Wema Bank’s understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities women face in the financial landscape. Oseni further emphasized the bank’s proactive approach to creating opportunities for women in leadership roles and providing them with the resources they need to thrive.
Paragraph 6: Impact and Future Directions
Oseni highlighted Wema Bank’s significant contributions to women’s empowerment, citing impressive figures such as disbursing over N50 billion in finance and $2.4 million in collaboration with the Islamic Development Finance under the BRAVE Women project. He also noted the bank’s outreach to over two million women through various skills development, business support, and market access programs between 2019 and 2023. These accomplishments underscore the tangible impact of Wema Bank’s initiatives. Oseni emphasized the bank’s forward-thinking approach, advocating for the broader adoption of its model to accelerate global progress towards women’s empowerment. He positioned the IWD 2025 event as a platform for discussing these important issues and fostering collaborative efforts to achieve a more equitable future for women.
