The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) joined a global campaign to advance gender equality, marking International Women’s Day with a symbolic bell-ringing ceremony. The event, part of the annual Ring the Bell for Gender Equality initiative, highlighted the role of women’s empowerment in driving economic growth and sustainable development.
Partnering with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), UN Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE), UN Global Compact, and UN Women, the NSE emphasized its commitment to gender parity. CEO Geoffrey Odundo stated the exchange aims to uphold the Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs) through collaboration with market stakeholders.
"Empowering women is not only the right thing to do but also the smart thing to do," echoed speakers during the event. A separate executive training program, Future Women CEOs and Board Members, brought together over 80 senior female leaders to build capacity for corporate leadership roles.
Global Compact Kenya’s Judy Njino underscored the link between gender equality and national progress, noting businesses must address workplace and community challenges. The initiative, now in its fifth year, saw 85 stock exchanges worldwide participate, surpassing last year’s 65 participants.
IFC’s Stefan Handoyo reiterated that gender equality is critical to sustainable development and societal prosperity. The NSE’s involvement reflects broader efforts to integrate gender-focused policies into Kenya’s financial sector.
