Press Release No. : 04/2025
Date : 07 March 2025
Press Release No 04 – RING THE BELL FOR GENDER EQUALITY
Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Honourable Sashi Kiran with Chair for the SPX Mr Nitin Gandhi, Gender Champions and guests ring the bell for gender equality
In a celebratory event to mark International Women’s Day on 08 March 2025, the Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Honourable Sashi Kiran, joined gender champions at the Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) to promote the call to action for accelerating gender parity under the United Nations theme for 2025 of “For All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment” on 05 March 2025 at the RBF.
The event was co-hosted by the South Pacific Stock Exchange (SPX) and RBF aimed at bringing together our gender champs and various stakeholders in a joint effort to foster greater collaboration and support for gender equality and empowerment in Fiji.
During her address, Minister Kiran mentioned that “to accelerate progress towards gender equality, we must reshape financial systems to be more inclusive. Our financial institutions have the power to bridge the gender gap by ensuring women have equal access to financial services, investment opportunities, and economic decision-making spaces.” She added that the event was more than a celebration but a call to action. By working together government, private sector and financial institutions, can build a Fiji where every woman and girl can contribute meaningfully to our economy and society.”
To mark the gender champions celebration, the Minister rang the bell for gender equality, as Fiji stood with over 110 Stock Exchanges around the world, to mark the ring the bell initiative for all women and girls in the workplace, marketplace and community. The ringing of the bell signified honour for the women who have paved the way while sending a clear message that the journey toward equality continues, and together we can drive meaningful progress.
Supporting the call for action, Governor and RBF Gender Champion, Mr Ariff Ali emphasised inclusivity and diversity can drive innovation and economic growth. He added that when women have access to capital, education and networks they are more likely to invest in their communities, launch successful businesses and contribute to sustainable development.
The event also brought together the signatories to ADB’s Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code (WE-Fi Code) initiative, a global, multi-stakeholder commitment by financial services providers (FSPs), regulators, development banks and other financial ecosystem players to work together to increase funding provided to women-led micro, small and medium enterprises (WMSMEs) around the world so that they can grow and add more value to the economy and their communities.
Following the first signing event in 2024 with four institutions, 11 institutions in total have now pledged their commitment to the We-Fi code, which involves appointing a gender champion to promote financial inclusion, provide tailored solutions for women entrepreneurs and track progress of activities. The 11 institutions include the RBF, Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection, Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, SMEs and Communications, Fiji Development Bank, Merchant Finance Limited, Westpac Banking Corporation, South Pacific Business Development SPX, Kontiki Finance Ltd, HFC Bank and the Sugar Cane Growers Fund.
This multi-stakeholder effort is expected to create opportunities for women businesses in Fiji through more timely access to appropriate and affordable financial products and services that will enable them to grow faster and more sustainably and contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive economy.
RESERVE BANK OF FIJI
For further details, please contact: –
Communications Office
Telephone: (679) 3223 381 Email: info@rbf.gov.fj
Mr Mervin Singh – Manager Corporate Communications
Telephone: (679) 3223 229 Email: mervin@rbf.gov.fj