NSE, IFC Highlight Gender Implications of COVID-19

By Tenebe Anthonia

The differential socioeconomic impacts the Coronavirus (COVID-19) will have on men and women have been discussed by experts at a webinar organised by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

At the virtual seminar themed Gender Implications of COVID-19: Supporting Women as Employees in the New Normal, participants agreed that women are likely to face more negative impacts than men.

The Nigeria2Equal Programme with an inaugural seminar on Monday, May 25, 2020 addressed concerns around women at home and in the workplace during this crisis.

According to the Head of Shared Services Division at the NSE, Bola Adeeko, “The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about unprecedented changes in our lives and businesses.

“There is, however, the valid concern that the current economic challenges will exacerbate gender inequality, especially because women are inappropriately represented in the informal sector and they are equally under-represented in more senior levels of management in the corporate world.

“This seminar, therefore, features a panel of seasoned and experienced experts to discuss best practices on how companies can develop the appropriate actions during and after this pandemic while re-aligning their business structures to the new realities.”

Speaking to the critical need to advance gender equality today, the Country Manager, IFC Nigeria, Eme Lore Essien share “In times of crisis, gender issues can sometimes be relegated to the backseat.

“However, the insights shared today testify to the urgent need for us to think outside the box for more gender-sensitive responses to the needs of the business, particularly in a post-COVID economy.

“The IFC is committed to providing a platform for knowledge sharing especially for female entrepreneurs who are successfully navigating the world of professionalism whilst balancing home life. We are particularly thankful to the NSE for supporting us in providing one of such platforms today.”

The event featured thought leaders across business, academic and the civil society spaces including: Head, Trading Business Division, NSE, Jude Chiemeka; Director, Sustainable Business Initiative, University of Edingburgh, Professor Kenneth Amaeshi; Founder, Women at Risk International Foundation, WARIF, Anita Kemi DaSilva; Country Head, Human Capital, Stanbic IBTC, Funke Amobi; and Chief Executive, CSR-in-Action, Bekeme Masade-Olowola.