More women in banking sector,  few are bosses- survey

The Uganda Bankers Association has said whereas there are more women in the country’s banking sector, only a few of them are in top positions.

Outgoing Uganda Bankers Association chairperson, Sarah Arapta said whereas women constitute more than 51% of the more than 19,000 employees in the banking sector, those in top leadership positions are a handful.

“The banking industry has close to 51% of employees being ladies but that is more at a foundation stage but when you go up the leadership pyramid, you notice the numbers reduce at the top,” Arapta said during the second edition of the annual Women Economic Empowerment Forum at Mestil Hotel, Kampala.

“We only have close to 24% of ladies sitting at chief executive levels and 31% at management committee level. At foundation levels, women have the necessary skills and necessary professions but they are just not climbing the ladder to the top as quick as we want them.”

Arapta said there need to address broader gaps in gender equity, inclusivity and empowerment of women at the decision-making stages, noting that failure to address these challenges is likely to slow the advancing of women’s career and professional growth.

She said the annual Women Economic Empowerment Forum is meant to empower women leaders to aspire to go to higher leadership in their respective careers

“We believe this forum will give the women a platform to enhances their skills and gain the necessary skills and ensure they address any societal norms or any related imposter syndromes that prevent them from aspiring to get to the top of their careers,”Arapta said.

“We believe through this economic empowerment initiative and related activities we can encourage women to collaborate and foster networks to help them boost their skillset and help us narrow the gender parity in the sector.”

Anne Juuko,  a Ugandan investment banker and corporate executive but also the Eastern African regional Head of Global Markets for Standard Bank Group emphasized the need to bridge the skills gap for women.

“This is the future. When we talk about bridging the gap these are things we must not just talk about but rather do something about to . We must bridge the skills gap. Finding your space and making your contribution doesn’t come on the suit you wear and what you look like but what you know. What value you add. That is what the people want,” Juuko said.

“If you are an empty tin, you will be reduced to just a statistical number when they say, we have some women on the board. We must bridge the skills gap.”

This year's Women Economic Empowerment Forum ran  under the theme 'Accelerating female leadership for

gender inclusive financial services.'