UN Women and Private Bank in Mozambique join efforts to advance women economic empowerment

Young girls beneficiares of financial literacy and introduction to small business management later opened their own business initiatives and are the potential beneficiaries of the MoU with private bank BCI. Photo: UN Women

The Commercial and Investment Bank (BCI) and UN Women Mozambique signed a memorandum of understanding in Maputo, to advocate and promote gender and women's empowerment in Mozambique. The agreement was signed by UN Women Mozambique and BCI representatives Marie Laetitia Kayisire and Rogério LAM respectively.

One of the immediate actions expected in the coming days is dissemination of prevention messages on different communication platforms of the bank distributed throughout the country, as response to COVID-19 disproportionally affecting men and women in the country and the world.

On the basis of this agreement, the two institutions will cooperate to promote the elimination of violence against women and girls, the implementation of women's empowerment principles (WEPs); and the access of women and girls to innovative financial services, including preferential credit lines, insurance for agriculture, agro-processing, livestock and non-agricultural activities.

Young girls beneficiares of financial literacy and introduction to small business management later opened their own business initiatives in poultry and are the potential beneficiaries of the MoU with private bank BCI. Photo: UN Women

The memorandum will contribute to accelerate the National Program for the Economic Empowerment of Women, launched last year together with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Action, to promote and develop entrepreneur initiatives, formal work, and self-employment for women and girls.

Both institutions also agreed to work together to organize events relevant to the promotion of gender equality and leadership of women and girls, as well as access to financial services, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 agenda and the African Union 2063 agenda.

The Investment Commercial Bank, has a vast history of corporate social responsibility in the country, among other actions, consistently supporting initiatives for gender equality and women's empowerment, aligned with UN Women's approach of 'Leaving No One Behind', and ensuring that "women, especially the poorest and most excluded, are economically empowered and benefit from development".