Standard Bank boosts Women

Editor | Wednesday September 19, 2007 00:00

After all, banks focus on getting more customers and breaking virgin ground to make more profit.

Before this groundbreaking innovation is trashed under a heap of wrong perceptions we caution that it be judged fairly and objectively.

In an era where patriarchy defines progress, empowerment and even innovation, the new account comes as a breath of fresh air that is bound to challenge accepted stereotypes.
For a very long time it has been accepted that banking and management of family estates, community or even a nation's wealth is best left to men. Even from a cursory point of view, it is very clear that men are the dominant force running the economy.
While everyone, regardless of their sex, is free to use banking facilities it does not take a rocket scientist to discern that banking is very male oriented.

Government and other pressure groups have over the years made strides in ensuring that women take a more active role in public life. As a consequence we have gradually witnessed an increasing number of women taking positions of responsibility but this has been painfully slow.

The decision by Standard Chartered Bank to open an account that is tailored around the needs of women should be embraced.

It is a welcome move in favour of affirmative action that should catapult women forward. There is a great imbalance between women and men in many areas but this difference is aggravated in areas such as banking.

We believe the Diva Account will help restore confidence and empower women to develop in this important area.

We are particularly heartened that the new Diva Account is not only about credit cards and other ways of shopping but it has a major savings component.

Often this is our Achilles' heel as a nation. Every report says we are rapidly turning into a nation that lives on credit at the expense of savings.

Hopefully, as more of our womenfolk are exposed to banking, this trend will change.
We have faith in our womenfolk, most whom raised this nation from paltry savings. For a long time women had been the basket of our community and there is no doubt that they will succeed in finding new ways of creating wealth in the financial markets.

                                                       Today's Thought
Sure God created man before woman, but then again you always make a rough draft before creating the final masterpiece.
                                                          - Unknown