Standard Chartered funds low income women
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Friday September 19, 2014 16:23
At the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) yesterday, Standard Chartered Bank Botswana CEO Moatlhodi Lekaukau noted that it marked the formal beginning of a relationship that could potentially benefit thousands of Botswana regardless of their economic circumstances. He said they were impressed with the organisation’s profile and did not think twice about bringing them on board.
“September was declared employee volunteering month, and as luck would have it we received a proposal from Women’s Finance. In that month our executive team conducted a financial literacy workshop called Thusang Basadi where we shared skills, knowledge and expertise. This mandate is important considering the critical role that small enterprises play and the potential that they have to contribute significantly to our economic growth,” he said.
In attendance was the Bank of Botswana governor Linah Mohohlo, who noted that the bank’s good gesture was monumental. “I commend the WFHB leadership for persevering in underscoring the important role that disadvantaged and unemployed women can play in society, if only they can be given the opportunity and wherewithal to do so. This is financial inclusion and economic empowerment at play,” she said.
Mohohlo emphasised that women are faced with several challenges ranging from the tyranny of culture, outright gender-based discrimination and abuse. She said the menacing effects of certain aspects of our culture and the traditional socialisation of women was depicted in several ways including in self-doubt, low self-esteem and setting low standard goals. She said adverse social environments translate to limited financial and economic empowerment programmes and few opportunities for career progress.
“This ceremony is undoubtedly a contribution towards redressing some of these social ills. The onus to aspire to realise the full human potential is on the intended recipients of the benefits that will flow from this agreement,” she said.
Mohohlo added that the initiative would help many women improve their livelihoods, as they would now contribute to family incomes, pay for their children’s education and ease the financial hardships and deprivation in their homesteads.