The Nigerian Exchange Group (NEG) and other capital market stakeholders have asked for an improvement in the investment in women as well as the deepening of inclusion.

Also speaking, the NGX said this on Monday, the call was made at the closing-gong ceremony to mark the 2024 International Women’s Day.

The event, organised in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation, UN Women, the United Nations Global Compact Network Nigeria, the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, the Central Securities Clearing System, the SterlingOne Foundation and the Association of Securities Dealing Houses of Nigeria, brought together prominent female leaders in the capital market space, whose discussion centred on the theme ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’.

In her keynote speech, Dr Irene Robinson-Ayanwale, the Divisional Head, Business Support Services Division, NGX said “When I learnt of this year’s theme “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress”, it resonated deeply with us. It serves as a powerful reminder of the need to establish equal opportunities for everyone while fostering an enabling environment for women across all sectors.

“This initiative represents a significant step forward in our efforts to promote gender equality and support women’s economic empowerment. Through innovative financial instruments such as gender bonds, we can mobilise capital towards projects that benefit women and advance gender equality across various sectors of the economy.”

Lending her voice to the call for equality, the Regional Director of Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa, IFC, Dahlia Khalifa, who was represented by Regional Industry Manager, Financial Institutions Group, Anglophone West Africa and Central Africa, Alexandra Celestin, said, “This Ring the Bell for Gender Equality event highlights the importance of gender equality for economic development and growth. Economies that reduce barriers to women as leaders, employees, and entrepreneurs promote inclusive societies and pave the way for sustainable development.

“Collective, coordinated, and bold action by private sector leaders will be instrumental in accelerating progress towards gender parity and igniting greater resilience. IFC continues to collaborate with partners and stock exchanges like the Nigerian Exchange Group to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in the private sector.”

Mrs Elizabeth Ebi, one of the oldest stockbrokers on exchange and Group Chief Executive Officer, Futureview Group, states the importance of equality.

“The implications of a truly equal and balanced world; a world where men and women make equal contributions to the society, enjoy equal opportunities, and even enjoy the same rewards and benefits. Going by the growing body of evidence out there, it is safe to conclude that the multiplier effect on families, businesses, communities, economies and ultimately, nations would be indeed phenomenal,” Ebi said.

The theme served to raise awareness about the importance of investing in women, to inspire inclusive leadership and to advocate for gender-responsive policies.

Speakers added that, by championing those principles, stakeholders could create empowering environments where every individual could thrive and contribute to collective success.