Ringing Bell for Gender Equality Stock Exchange Initiative

In celebration of International Women’s Day, IFC in collaboration with Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) and JIoD implemented the initiative of Ringing the Bell for Gender Equality Stock Exchange Initiative in Jordan at ASE premises on March 9, 2016.

Ringing the Bell for Gender Equality Stock Exchange Initiative is an initiative supported by the United Nations Global Compact, UN Women, the World Federation of Exchanges, and Women in ETFs at the global level. The events as a result of this initiative aim to showcase the business case for gender equality and highlight how private sector leaders are already taking concrete steps to invest in women in the workplace, marketplace and community.

There was a global series of bell ringing events to celebrate International Women’s Day (March 8, 2016) and raise awareness about the importance of women’s economic empowerment to business and sustainable development.

The event had key opening speeches by H.E. Mr. Nader Azar (Chief Executive Officer, Amman Stock Exchange), Dr. Yehia El Husseiny, (Corporate Governance Officer, IFC – World Bank Group) and Mr. Giuseppe Belsito, (Representative, UN Women Country Office for Jordan). Ms. Reem Badran, (Chairperson of Alhurra Company for Management & Business Development) gave a speech about “Women’s Economic Empowerment to Business & Sustainable Development” and it was followed by Ms. Taghrid Nafeisi, (President and CEO – Al-Multaqaa Brokerage and Investment Company) where she talked about the “Role of the Private Sector in Gender Equality”. This session was wrapped up with a speech by Dr. Fadi Khalaf, the Secretary General for the Arab Federation of Exchanges.

At 10:30am the time of starting the trading session, the key note speakers and guest speakers rang the bell to announce beginning of the trading session.

Last session focused on IFC Research Study Results: The Impact of Gender Diversity on the Economic Performance of Companies in Jordan, which was presented by Dr. Yehia El Husseiny from IFC and Ms. Oraib Qubbaj, from JIoD. The main results of the research and the recommendations to increase women participation in decision making positions were highlighted by the speakers. Such recommendations were then opened for discussion with the participants.