A collaboration agreement between the Ecobank Foundation and UN Women’s Regional Office for West and Central Africa aims to support each organization’s initiatives for advancing women’s empowerment in Africa.
For the first time, these two crucial players in the continent’s development have created a framework for collaboration in order to accomplish their shared objectives and hasten the empowerment of women in Africa.
“The activities and efforts of the Foundation have always been heavily influenced by women. We have been able to support girls’ education and women’s leadership, among other things, thanks to our relationships. We wish to advance with UN Women. We are overjoyed to have such a partner, whose knowledge and experience will enable us to make certain that a gender equality lens is implemented in all our actions “explains Ecobank Foundation COO Elisa Desbordes-Cissé.
Financial inclusion, focusing on women
The “Ecobank Day,” a one-of-a-kind opportunity for Ecobank Group workers each year to contribute to the wellbeing of their communities, has been organized by the Ecobank Foundation for the past nine years. With the theme “Leave no one behind: Financial Inclusion for all!” this year’s Ecobank Day, which is set for November 12, will concentrate on financial literacy and inclusion as a critical component in reducing poverty and promoting shared prosperity for women and youth, typically in marginalized communities.
Through this collaboration with UN Women, special focus will be placed on the unique requirements and difficulties experienced by women business owners in rural and urban regions.
16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence
Every year, on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign kicks off. It lasts until December 10, Human Rights Day. For the first time, the Ecobank Foundation and UN Women will work together to carry out a number of advocacy, action, and awareness-raising initiatives to stop violence against women and girls in a number of African nations.
Women’s personal and professional empowerment through sport
The Ecobank Foundation and UN Women will concentrate their efforts through this cooperation on the sports industry and the opportunities that are available for women along the value chain in terms of both personal and professional empowerment.
UN Women West and Central Africa Regional Office Regional Director a.i., Deputy Regional Director Florence Raes stated, “We are pleased about this relationship with Ecobank in many ways. With the help of this partnership, we will be able to empower more women by raising their levels of financial awareness and inclusion while also advancing gender equality in Africa. And because we both love sports, we can more successfully fight gender stereotypes by encouraging more girls and women to participate equally in the African sports business.