Activists have emphasized the importance of collecting gender-disaggregated data to gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities for women’s advancement, particularly their underrepresentation in leadership roles within the financial sector.
During the “Ring the Bell for Gender Equality” event, activists stressed the need for collective efforts to identify gaps and develop targeted interventions to address them.
Paul Bwiso, CEO of the Uganda Securities Exchange (USE), highlighted the pivotal role women play in driving investment and economic growth, emphasizing their voices’ strength and potential to catalyze positive change in financial markets and society as a whole. Bwiso’s statement resonated with a call to action, urging women to actively participate in investment opportunities beyond traditional assets like trees and land. He emphasized the importance of women’s involvement in investment management, savings, and economic support, highlighting the collective impact they can make both within families and organizations.
“This year’s theme, ‘Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress,’ reminds us that breaking the status quo requires financial commitment,” reiterated Bwiso, stressing the necessity of allocating resources toward sustainable development, citing the empowerment of women as a proven strategy for fostering fair, peaceful, and prosperous societies.
Josephine Okui Ossiya, CEO of the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), emphasized the role of technology in promoting gender equality, highlighting the importance of innovation and the development of products tailored to women’s needs within the capital markets. Ossiya urged stakeholders to leverage technology and encourage greater female participation and investment in the financial sector. She further addressed various areas demanding attention, including leadership, economics, environment, and social spaces.
Paulina Chiwangu, UN Women’s Country Representative in Uganda, commended the USE for its increased commitment to gender equality.
“I want to applaud USE because this year, compared to previous years, we have seen more companies signing up to Women Empowerment Principles,” she said. However, Chiwangu acknowledged the challenges ahead, particularly the staggering annual deficit of USD 360 billion in spending on gender equality measures. She stressed the importance of investing in women to achieve various Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, calling for gender-responsive public and private financing.
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