KARACHI: Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Jameel Ahmad said that role and contributions of our women in nation-building and economic development of country is much important.

“Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah rightly said, “No nation can rise to height of glory unless women are side by side with you”, said SBP Governor in his message issued here on National Working Women’s Day.

Recognising their important role, SBP has taken number of steps towards financial inclusion of women. Foremost, SBP’s “Banking on Equality” initiative envisions greater engagement of women in financial sector through increased employment in financial institutions as well as enhanced access to financial services.

Setting positive example of promoting employment of women in banking and financial sectors, SBP has recently hired 1st batch of female officers under its “Emerging Women Leaders Initiative” (EWLI).

This women batch hiring is in addition to their recruitment through SBP’s routine hiring processes, such as under State Bank Officers Training (SBOTS) Scheme.

With induction of female offices under EWLI, ratio of female officers to total employees in SBP increases from 12 percent to approximately 17 percent SBP considers it is imperative to support career progression of women employees and encourage them to aim for leadership position with hope that in coming years, women in leadership position should become norm, not exception.

In context, number of specialized training programs are available for women employees to develop necessary skill set and competencies that are required for leadership positions.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 23 2022

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