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Reflecting on the profound theme of "Inspire Inclusion" for this year's International Women's Day, I find myself pondering the global call for inclusivity despite the immense contributions of women throughout history. 

From being the nurturing mothers of nations to playing critical roles as sisters, daughters, wives, and friends, women have consistently shaped societies. 

Yet, in the 21st century, the need to inspire inclusion persists—a call to action that demands collective efforts to bridge gaps, eliminate biases, and integrate women into every facet of life. 

As I contemplate this theme, my thoughts turn to Uganda, a nation that has made significant strides toward gender equality. 

However, the struggle for equality in the labour market remains an uphill task. According to the World Bank, the labour force participation rate among females in Uganda is 67.6%, slightly lower than 72% among males in 2022. 

Furthermore, vulnerable employment statistics reveal that 81.4% of women and 67.1% of men found themselves in precarious work situations in 2021. 

These figures highlight the urgent need to address issues affecting women in the labour market to ensure their well-being and economic security.

At Standard Chartered, we recognize that fostering a culture of inclusion is not only a moral imperative but also a critical lever for business success. 

Inclusion allows us to be the best place to work and bank, contributing to the creation of prosperous communities. 

Our commitment is evident in our workforce, with females constituting 57% of the staff and 36% of the Executive Management team—a testament to our dedication to gender diversity.

In the pursuit of inclusion, we have implemented various initiatives. One noteworthy effort is the introduction of menopause benefits, providing medical coverage for the treatment of menopause-related symptoms to all female employees and their partners. 

This initiative reflects our commitment to addressing the unique healthcare needs of women in the workplace.

Our Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) committee is another cornerstone of our efforts. 

Focusing on gender, generational diversity, nationality/ethnicity, and disability, we've supported initiatives such as mentorship, counseling, celebrating International Women's Day, and promoting well-being and sporting activities. 

These efforts aim to create a workplace where every individual, regardless of their background, feels included and valued.

Recognizing the evolving nature of work, we have also embraced hybrid working policies to accommodate diverse needs. 

This approach allows our colleagues to maintain a work-life balance and adopt outcome-focused strategies that suit their individual and team dynamics, with a particular emphasis on benefiting women in the workforce.

Additionally, we recently announced an enhanced paid parental leave of 20 weeks for both men and women, promoting equitable caregiving responsibilities for parents. 

This initiative aims to foster a supportive environment for employees to balance their professional and personal lives effectively.

In the realm of learning and development, we are focused on future skills. By providing targeted content, future skills academies, webinars, and tools like Unmind, we make learning more accessible to everyone across the organization. 

Our learning experience platform, diSCover, further facilitates continuous learning and skills development.

Our commitment to inclusion extends beyond the workplace through our Futuremakers programs. 

Our community initiatives empower the next generation across three pillars: education, employability, and entrepreneurship. 

In 2023 alone, over 15,598 youth benefited from projects such as GOAL, Youth Empowerment, Entrepreneurship, and Decent Employment programme, Youth in Agri-business programme, and the Youth to Work programme, supported by a significant investment of sh3.3b from the Standard Chartered Foundation.

As I conclude, I cannot help but recognize the dynamic women who have profoundly influenced my life—the driving forces of my journey. 

My mother, a resilient and determined figure, instilled in me the values of perseverance and dedication. 

My wife, a pillar of strength and support, embodies partnership and resilience. My daughter, the epitome of potential, inspires me to contribute to building a more inclusive world for her generation and of course, my female colleagues who have been an incredible force for good in supporting my career and the brand.

In essence, the recognition of women as crucial drivers of economic growth is not just a call to action; it is an essential step toward empowering them and building a more inclusive society.  

As we celebrate International Women's Day, let us unite in our commitment to creating a world where every woman is valued, included, and empowered.

In honour of women’s strength and achievements, Happy Women’s Day!

The writer is the Chief Executive Officer, of Standard Chartered Bank Uganda