The
Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank (SCB), Albert Saltson, has
revealed that the bank has pledged to have women occupy 30 per cent of the top
four levels of senior roles by 2020.
He
made this pledge while delivering a speech yesterday during the celebration of
International Women’s Day, organized by the bank and held at the Coco Ocean
Hotel on the theme: “Be bold for change”.
The
CEO added that 47 per cent of the bank’s employees across the global footprint
are women.
However,
he added, women occupied only 25 per cent of their top four levels of senior
roles.
The
bank has pledged to have women occupy 30 per cent of the top four levels of
senior roles by 2020, he announced.
As
the group works towards meeting these ambitious targets, he was proud to also
announce that in The Gambia women make up 60 per cent of their country office’s
management team.
“We
are also determined to involve men as key drivers of greater workplace
equality. Our commitment to gender diversity is also demonstrated through our
global community programme.”
Mr
Saltson said: “We celebrate the achievements of the women in our communities,
local and global.”
The
CEO further stated that at Standard Chartered Bank, they view diversity and
inclusion as a critical lever for business success in the long term.
It
enables the team to unlock innovation and make better decisions and manage
risk, he added.
“Our
gender agenda aims to ensure women are given the same opportunities to excel
and progress as men; that the gender balance is better represented,
particularly at senior levels. We encourage initiatives such as flexible
working so as to better support both our female and male colleagues.”
The
United States Ambassador to The Gambia, Patricia Alsup, expressed pleasure to
be associated with such a group of committed professional women and men, as
they jointly celebrate International Women’s Day.
She
said after 22 years of authoritarian rule characterized by disregard for basic
human rights, Gambians can finally exhale and enjoy the freedom that are the
mark of a truly democratic country with
a government that is accountable to its people.
“This
year, on International Women’s Day celebration with the theme: “Be bold for
change”, the US Embassy Banjul stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the women of
The Gambia. We must all be bold for change.”
The
United States is a strong champion for gender equality and the rights of women
and girls around the world, she added.
“We
support global progress towards gender equality through diplomatic engagement,
foreign assistance programming, and partnership with civil societies and
private sector actors across the globe.”
Empowering
women within their communities is a top priority at the US Embassy in Banjul,
she further stated.
