The Week That Was: Global Women Empowerment News Overview

In today's rapidly changing business climate, women play an important role in pushing conventions and reshaping companies. The emphasis on gender equality has resulted in a more inclusive business environment that recognizes the value of many viewpoints in generating innovation and overall success. Female entrepreneurship is growing, with an increasing number of women owning firms, fueled by programs that expressly address historical constraints experienced by women in business.

Women's progression to leadership roles is crucial because they challenge old conventions and contribute useful insights at the highest levels of corporate governance. Despite these advancements, ongoing issues such as gender wage inequity and discrimination highlight the importance of continued battling and collaboration.

Check out Global Woman Leader's news section for this week's update!

Nigerian VP Shettima Allocates $200M Grant for Women-Led MSMEs

Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima announced a $200 million grant proposal from the National Philanthropic Office (NPO) in a significant step to promote the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMSE) sector. During the inauguration of the NPO's Local Implementation Committee at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Kashim said that 50% of the projected award will go to women-led enterprises.

Standard Chartered & Village Capital Back Women-Led Tech

In a key step toward addressing the gender finance gap in the entrepreneurial scene, Village Capital has partnered with Standard Chartered Bank to develop a financing facility devoted to supporting women-led start-ups. The alliance intends to give catalytic funding to early-stage, impact-focused enterprises, enabling women entrepreneurs to overcome barriers to investment possibilities.

Barbara Romano Named SJI's First Female CIO

SJI, an energy infrastructure holding firm located in Folsom, has appointed Barbara Romano as its first female Chief Information Officer, setting new precedent. The news came on January 24, after Romano's term as Vice President of Technology and Operations. She will succeed Leonard Brinson Jr., who is slated to retire at the end of this month.

SA Women Save Big: $1M Fees Cut with Business Program

In a historic milestone, 1000 South Australian women, many of whom are first-time company owners, have saved more than $1 million in fees thanks to the Malinauskas Labor Government's Women in company Foundations program. The program, which is part of the $4 million Women in Business project, seeks to enable women to effectively develop and run enterprises, adding to South Australia's 40% female-owned small businesses.

Birth By Us Secures $40,000 Funding for Black Maternal Health

Birth By Us, a maternal health platform, recently received $40,000 in unrestricted financing as a recipient of the renowned 2024 Westly Prize for Young Social Innovators, marking a crucial step toward tackling the severe inequities in maternity healthcare outcomes for Black women. Birth By Us, founded in 2021 by UC Berkeley alum Ijeoma Uche and MIT pre-med student Mercy Oladipo, seeks to transform maternal health experiences for Black moms, who frequently face the most adverse outcomes and experiences throughout pregnancy and postpartum care.

Zappi Boosts Leadership with CMO & International MD Appointments

Agile market research platform Zappi has announced crucial appointments to its executive team, indicating a substantial shift toward the company's worldwide development and ongoing innovation. Following a record-breaking year in 2023, Zappi has promoted Nataly Kelly as Chief Marketing Officer and elevated Babita Earle to the post of International Managing Director.