The Amman stock exchange rings the bell for gender equality
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On the 9th March 2016, the Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) in partnership with UN Women Jordan, hosted the 2nd Annual Celebration of the "Ring Bell for Gender Equality” initiative. As part of the celebartions for International Women’s Day, the event aimed at raising awareness on the importance of promoting gender equality in the private sector as well as encouraging business leaders around the world to make serious steps to empower women in the work place and society.
“The percentage of women's contribution in the human force in the ASE has risen from 15% since establishing the ASE in 1999 reaching more than 48% as of today. Also, women hold more than 28% of the leadership positions in the executive management of the ASE” – affirmed Mr. Nader Azar, CEO of the ASE.
Ring the Bell for Gender Equality is a global initiative is in its second year, following last year’s events held by stock exchanges such as NASDAQ, the Egyptian Exchange and the Bombay Stock Exchange. It falls under UN Women’s joint efforts with the UN Global Compact to promote the seven Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) – guidelines to support action on advancing gender equality and women’s full participation in economic life across all sectors. The day is also supported by the International Finance Corporation, the World Federation of Exchanges, Women in ETFs and the Jordan Institute of Directors.
“Legislative barriers continue to prevent women’s full economic participation in Jordan. As such, the informal female labour participation rate in Jordanian host communities remains high (41%), putting women and girls at greater risk of exploration and violence” – affirmed Mr. Giuseppe Belsito, UN Women Jordan Representative.
The Ring the Bell for Gender Equality initiative brought together business leaders, investors, members of the civil society and a number of public figures, brokerage firms, and representatives of the capital market institutions in order to highlight the significant role the private sector has in empowering women in the workplace, marketplace and community.