Standard Bank launches Top Women 2020 this women’s month
As part of its women empowerment initiative geared towards providing tangible support to women in business, Standard Bank has partnered up with TopCo Media to present the 2020 instalment of the annual Standard Bank Top Women conference taking place this October.
Standard Bank has continued with this sponsorship to highlight and address issues around gender inequality, which will be a key focus for this year’s conference.
“Standard Bank’s objective in hosting the event is to recognise organisations and individuals whose efforts are uplifting women in business and society. We believe that a significant spotlight needs to be put on women leaders and trailblazers currently making waves in their various and respective sectors. Woman are the cornerstone of our society and in many respects are the custodians of our key social and economic development areas. As a bank we are passionate about driving gender empowerment as well as highlighting and showcasing the strides and successes that our women have achieved while breaking through the gender barrier,“ says Lindy-Lou Alexander, Head of Marketing for Personal and Business Banking at Standard Bank.
As Africa’s largest bank by assets, the Top Women partnership is one that Standard Bank has prioritised in nurturing to ensure that the authentic stories of the future African female leaders are told.
“Africa is home to some of the top female thought leaders currently bridging the gender gap in today’s most relevant societal issues. The Top Women platform offers them a stage to inspire hundreds of young females to lead change both locally and internationally. While highlighting their success we also acknowledge the hurdles and unique barriers that face our women on our continent. In breaking through them they have forged a path for other female entrepreneurs to follow,” says Alexander.
In an effort to navigate the current Covid-19 landscape, the 2020 instalment of Top Women will be slightly different as the organisers host the conference virtually for the first time due to lockdown and the national adherence to social distancing still in full effect.
“The Covid-19 Crisis has necessitated a business unusual mind-shift. This has driven us to look at alternative means of introducing technologies that bring a better user experience to the Standard Bank Top Women programme. We have moved from the physical to digital – this enhances the opportunity to support more women more often with personalised content and solutions that are far more relevant to them.”
Each year Standard Bank strives to take the Top Women conference to newer and greater heights, and this year promises to be the ultimate gathering of female leaders who are passionate about embodying and driving gender empowerment in South Africa.
Over and above the Top Women partnership, Standard Bank will also be running their Gender Agenda initiatives. These initiatives look at Standard Bank Group’s support and drive for inclusive economic empowerment and growth through demonstrating the bank’s long-term commitment to Africa. This commitment is showcased by strategically partnering with women and men to bridge the gap on gender equality and creating shared value.
“At Standard Bank we believe that empowering women is the key to accelerating and unlocking Africa’s growth. Top Women 2020 presents us with the opportunity to solidify this narrative and make meaningful strides in the spaces of gender empowerment,” says Alexander.
Historically, TopCo Media has been running the Top Women event for 17 years, with a view to constantly acknowledge the most sustainable and most successful gender empowerment strategies employed by organisations, across all sectors.
The sponsorship dates back to 2014, spanning over 6 years with the conference continually growing in stature to eventually become one of South Africa’s leading platforms in allowing for the advancement of women in leadership.