Logistics firm restates commitment to female inclusion in top positions

RED Star Express has restated its commitment to women’s growth into higher positions within the organisation.

Head, Corporate Resources and Company Secretary, Frances Akpomuka, said this during the company’s partnership with the International Finance Corporation ( IFC) and The Nigerian Exchange Limited ( NGX) on ‘ The Nigeria2equal Gender Programme’, targeted at reducing gender gaps across employment and entrepreneurship in the Nigerian private sector.

She said: “As a company, we understand the benefits of diversity not only at board level but throughout the company. We are committed to ensuring that we actualise the growth potential of women into managerial positions and maximise their contributions to the company’s ecosystem. Gender equality is not a partisan issue; it is not even just a woman’s issue, neither is it just a man’s issue. It is a societal issue. We are in this together.”

The programme is the first multi- stakeholder country project focused on ensuring equality in Nigerian companies, organised into three components - research, peer learning platform and firm- level support to companies.

At the virtual public launch, the stakeholders from listed companies emphasised the importance of empowering women, noting that the move will boost investors’ confidence, increase productivity, and enhance business performance.

In her welcome speech, Regional Gender Lead Africa ( IFC), Anne Kabugi, said the approach combines in- depth client work with peer learning to share best practices and create market learning.