Women better payers of credit facilities
WOMEN are better payers for every credit facilities they access and should therefore be provided with more support, such as capacity building and mentorship.
This is according to Access Bank Zambia Limited Chief Executive Officer Lishala Situmbeko at the W-Initiative-Women’s Banking High Tea event in celebrating women’s day on Wednesday in Lusaka.
This year’s women day was celebrated under the theme: “Gigi-All: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality.”
Mr Situmbeko pointed out that statistics had shown that women were better payers as compared to men when the accessed credit facilities.
He said the bank was therefore providing more support to women through its W-Initiative programme which pro
vided an array of programmes such as empowerment and capacity building to build a sustainable society.
“Women are better payers, for every credit facility when compared to statistics, women are just better payers. That is just the bottom line and I think when we look at this particular product as well, it recognises that particular aspect,” Mr Situmbeko said.
Mr Situmbeko said the institution understood that female client’s’ needs were beyond finance.
Over the years, he said, the bank had endeavoured to provide sustainable opportunities and platforms for women to access true growth, whether financial or other.
At the same function, Access bank Zambia Board Chairperson Anne Sampa, said this was a deliberate initiative to support women which included but not limited to capacity building and mentorship programme aimed at helping build a stronger and more sustainable society.
“Through the W-Initiative, we encourage interaction between women from all walks of life, sharing and learning from each other’s’ experiences for the betterment of our financial, physical and mental health,” Ms Sampa said.
She said platforms such as the W-Initiative tea was how each one of the women could embrace equity.
Meanwhile, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Permanent Secretary, Yvonne Mpundu said the event provided an opportunity to network and introspect on contributions to society as women.
Ms Mpundu encouraged women to apply for the different opportunities that Citizens’ Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) had created for the betterment of themselves.
“I am urging everyone around here to ensure we do all it takes to groom girls, young ladies and fellow women into resilient, strong and dynamic people to contribute positively towards the growth of our economy,” she said.