WMP Magazine - Issue 1, March 2022

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MEN MARKETS PROGRAM

Newsletter Issue 1 March 2022

INTERNATIONAL BANK OF CHOICE FOR WOMEN & EMPLOYER OF CHOICE FOR WOMEN OF INFLUENCE

INSIDE THIS

EDITION From the Women Markets Program Desk Director Consumer Banking Message Women Empowerment Initiatives in action

COMING

SOON IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:

POP-UP

MARKET

From the Women Markets Program Desk

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n Kenya, it is estimated that women owned businesses account for 48% of all Small Medium Enterprises, contributing about 20% of the Kenyan GDP. The collaboration between SBM Bank and women owned businesses such as Carole Kinoti brands, comes at a time when Small Medium Enterprises are being locally and globally recognized as vital economic growth and employment drivers.

SBM Bank seeks synergies to identify and build networks of women entrepreneurs across the sectors of the economy poised to transform their societies by owning, running, operating businesses and becoming voices for social advocacy in their communities.

The diverse Strategic partnerships we have on board, underpin the Bank’s commitment towards attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and UN Women empowerment principles. By enhancing women’s business growth opportunities, SBM Bank helps to create and scale sustainable business enterprises both locally and globally which is essential to the achievement of the vision 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and a fairer and more inclusive world.

Indeed, when you empower a woman, you empower a Nation. Women are the backbone of communities and the country’s greatest potential to unlocking economic growth. Reductions in gender gaps in education, health, financial and economic inclusion and political participation will result in an increase in the country’s economic competitiveness.

SM - Women & Youth Banking, Abdia Dabaso

Director Consumer Banking Message our flagship international women’s day event have not only exemplified courage and vision but have also inspired men and women in various fields to become leaders who can make a difference in areas of their fields.

SBM Bank strives to provide a supportive environment for women in the workplace, marketplace, and community.

How do we do this? By empowering women. At SBM Bank, we are committed to providing equal opportunity to all through our diversity and inclusion approach. We are committed to fostering collaborations that encourage a paradigm shift in approaches and policies that are more gender-inclusive while simultaneously working to highlight and tackle those issues that impede women’s progression to positions of leadership.

Beth Muthui - Director Consumer Banking & Member Women on the Move Council

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t SBM Bank, we appreciate the importance of investing in women, and we continuously aim at finding new ways to strengthen their participation in decision making and leadership. It is worth noting that most of the women who attended

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As we marked International Women’s Day under the theme #BreakTheBias, I am proud to say that the gender gap has been narrowing yearly at SBM Bank. This is because the resourcing teams have always been driven to converge the gap of introducing many women to management and board levels.

As Michelle Bachelet once said, “Progress of women is progress for all of us. Giving priority to women is not an option. It is a necessity. Giving more opportunities to women, besides being a matter of rights, is also a manifestation of good economic sense.”

FEATURES

International Women’s Day

We celebrated the day at Capital Club Nairobi on March 8th 2022.

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nternational Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. During this day, significant activities are witnessed worldwide where women come together to celebrate women’s achievements and rally for women equality. This year’s theme, dubbed ‘#BreakTheBias’ is aimed at promoting a gender equal world, free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination, a world that is diverse, suitable and inclusive.

The event was attended by key industry decision makers, bank strategic partners, bank women leaders and customers. The panel discussions yielded a huge range of ideas and suggestions for future women empowerment dialogue.

The event provided a great opportunity for women to relax, unwind, connect and celebrate each other. The panel discussions was quite engaging and inspiring.

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OUR MOTIVATION FOR BECOMING A UN WOMEN WEP SIGNATORY IN 2018 SBM is a fair & equitable employer. From onset, our existing HR recruitment policies bring the broadest talent pool, providing equal opportunities to both men & women, with a non-discriminatory reward structure strictly by merit (equal work equal pay).

SBM promotes and celebrates 5.88% of our women in top leadership, encourages mentorship with intent to grow both male & female colleagues, provides the platforms for everyone to enhance their education with aim at leadership and personal career growth.

SBM has an existing Women Market Program (SBM Woman) that plays both an internal and external role to intentionally drive women education, economic empowerment and protection of their wealth.

SBM intends to be a key critical player in the Kenyan economy and wider Africa, defying the norms by putting women in the center of banking through forging strong partnerships with organizations that are well respected, well known subject matter experts in women matters globally.

Becoming a signatory is another move at refining and furthering its already existing active role in women equality; this validates and echoes the bank's efforts in promoting and enhancing policies that support gender equality in the workplace, marketplace and community.

SBM’S Vision is to be the leading brand of choice in Women Markets, through Education, Empowerment and Preservation of the woman’s overall financial status” ~ SBM Bank Kenya CEO, Moezz Mir

PRINCIPLE 1 Establish high level corporate leadership for gender equality SBM has female representation (two members) in its Board of Directors, and over one third female representation in the top executive management; Director Corporate Liabilities, Consumer banking, HR & Customer Experience all being women. SBM has 61% female staff count with over 30% female senior management representation.

PRINCIPLE 2 Treat all women and men fairly at work Respect and support human rights and nondiscrimination All bank policies are supportive of equality and intentionally advocate for respect, integrity and nondiscrimination at its core values

PRINCIPLE 3 Ensure the health, safety and well-being of all women and men workers Clean, safe and hospitable work environment is provided to all.

Our Crèche at RiversideMews caters to all employees' (both male and female) childrenless than 3years old. For clients few of our SMEHubs provide clean baby changing rooms. Our branches are strategically placed with accessible clean convenient rooms

PRINCIPLE 4 Promote education, training and professional development for women The bank has an internal academy that offers online courses fostering further education of its employees with modules touching on leadership, personal career development and role-specific development courses. The bank is activating its internal women program that will drive mentorship, diversity, inclusionand worklife-parenting balance.

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PRINCIPLE 5 Implement enterprise development, supply chain and marketing practices that empower women The bank is non-discriminatory in its lending & procurement practices, if anything, it has often applied deliberate policies that encourage women borrowing e.g. running campaigns offering discounted lending for women entrepreneurs.

PRINCIPLE 6 Promote equality through community initiatives and advocacy The Bank’s CSR initiatives center around sustainable development and how we as a financial institution can play key role in development goals.

PRINCIPLE 7 Measure and publicly report on progress to achieve gender equality.

Women in

Manufacturing

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e joined Kenya Association of Women in manufacturing colorful event held on 24th March 2022 at Villa Rosa Kempinski hotel to celebrate the strides made by women manufacturers in steering growth of the global

manufacturing sector. This is a testament that manufacturing is a fulfilling career with limitless opportunities. As a bank, we look forward to continuing the partnership in furthering women participation in the growth of the Manufacturing sector.

Women of

SNDBX

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he women of SNDBX hosted their first International Women’s Day breakfast event on 30th March 2022 at the Social House Lavington to celebrate women entrepreneurs within their network in line with the global theme #BreakTheBias in Negotiating for the Win. The event was attended by Women Entrepreneurs and women empowerment strategic partners.

The opening remarks were made by Ms. Rina Hicks and key note speech by Ms. Frida Owinga.

During the event’s panel discussions, the participants had the opportunity to share their experience on Negotiating for a win. The women of SNDBX are a group of experts who operate businesses at the SNDBX, a community of 33 business experts who provide services in a one stop shop. They have so far promoted women owned businesses located at SNDBX reaching over 12,000 people. SBM Bank is committed to enabling women entrepreneurs realize their full potential.

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LIMURU COUNTRY & GOLF CLUB

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he Limuru Lady Golfers hosted their Lady Captain Golf Tournament on 21st January 2022 at the Limuru Country Club. Lady golfers Lucy Njuguna, Nancy Muraya and Nancy Mugo were happy to take home exciting prizes.

Kenya Ladies Golf Union Lady Captains Tournament at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club on February 28th & 29th 2022

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Customer support conversations

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mall and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a major role in most economies, particularly in developing countries. SMEs account for the majority of businesses worldwide and are important contributors to job creation and global economic development.

The partnership between SBM Bank and Tactive Consulting has been pivotal as access to finance is a key constraint to SME growth. Through the partnership we support business owners to strengthen their organizational structures and align their businesses to achieve their main goals and objectives.

Tactive hosts weekly networking and capacity building events at The Werks, Lavington and SBM SME Hubs on Thursday. The Tactive Friday Socials provides a platform where businesses

network with other businesses while they get business advisory services. Through the weekly events, Tactive has been able to attract an estimated 550 business owners since August 2021.

Through SBM, Tactive Consulting connected with one our own woman owned business Carole Kinoti Brands. She is the CEO of CKB a creative in the Fashion Industry with over 19 years’ experience. Carole seeks to bring transformation in the fashion industry by paving the way for creatives to scale their businesses. Tactive Consulting was able to secure a contract to support the back end of the fashion brand which would include business development, supply & sourcing and general operations.

Did you enjoy the read….

Would you like to participate in the next edition?

We would love to hear from you Email: abdia.dabaso@sbmbank.co.ke or atyourservice@sbmbank.co.ke or