Bridging the Gender Gap in Investment and Financial Services Sector in Mauritius
3 min read
Les archives de Maurice Info
The first ever Women in Investment and Finance Charter in Africa is to be launched during the workshop by the Association of Women in Investment and Finance in Mauritius (AWIFM).
This charter has the objective to federate all actors in the sector to raise awareness and take action towards improvement of gender balance at the workplace. Its aim is also to nurture the inclusive culture necessary to sustain it. The workshop will see the launch the Africa RISE report, which was requested by AWIFM and the Ministry of Financial Services and Good Governance in order to conduct an analysis of existing gender frameworks, identifying gender gaps and crafting policy orientations towards ensuring gender balance in the sector in Mauritius.
Although gender inequality at the workplace in Mauritius has roots in gender-biased conservative as well as patriarchal norms, and culture, the report concludes that the issue of providing a psychologically safe workspace for women remains critical. Policymakers tend to focus on what is tangible, such as laws, policies and budgets. Yet, it is important not to neglect the invisible power of norms at the risk of missing a deeper understanding of social change.
The report points out that the business sector has recently taken deeper interest in the gender concept and implications of gender inequalities and is working on plans and policies towards enhancing gender equality at their level. It also identifies gaps in rules and practices and offers suggestions on how to close these gaps. It recommends that corporate leaders should develop corporate awareness about gender equality through research on critical gender equality issues, training, sharing best practices, and joining voluntary corporate initiatives.
Commenting on this initiative, Mahen Kumar Seeruttun, Minister of Financial Services and Good Governance, said:
Highlighting the European Union’s support for the report, H.E. Mr Vincent Degert, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Mauritius, commented:
Setting out the benefits to be achieved as companies sign up to the Charter, Jessica Naga, Vice President of The Association of Women in Investment and Finance, said:
Summing up the role of Africa Rise in the launch workshop, Manisha Dookhony, Economics and Market Reform expert at Africa Rise, elaborated:
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