Evolvin’ Women, a ground-breaking UAE-led initiative that promotes the advancement of women in Africa’s underprivileged rural communities, has secured its first financial institutional support from Zambia National Commercial Bank (ZANACO) to empower its participants.
A Dubai-based social enterprise, Evolvin’ Women works to provide life-changing skill development placements for women from various countries across Africa and supports them in securing promising career opportunities in the UAE’s hospitality sector.Through its programmes, Evolvin’ Women supports hospitality businesses embed social responsibility in their HR practices by connecting them with unemployed women from developing countries.
As part of a two-year partnership, ZANACO is supporting an initiative by Evolvin’ Women to empower 14 girls from Zambia by providing them free laptops, offering two participants scholarships, and organising a financial literacy session for all of them. ZANACO will also open bank accounts for the participants and encourage them to serve as ambassadors of the programme to strengthen awareness among more Zambian women.
Assia Riccio, Founder, Evolvin’ Women, said: “As the first local bank in Zambia, ZANACO’s partnership with us will have a significant positive effect not only in transforming the lives of the 14 selected participants but also attract more women to embark on a life-changing journey with us. The association with a financial institution, for the first time, adds to the credibility of the work we do while enabling ZANACO to strengthen their focus on social responsibility. This will encourage more financial institutions to associate with us and enable us to touch more lives meaningfully. The opportunity to open bank accounts adds another dimension to our programme, whereby participants can be financially independent. This supports the UN Sustainable Development Goal 8 to promote decent work and economic growth.
Diana Kangwa, Chief Operating Officer at Zanacoof ZANACO, said: “Our partnership with Evolvin’ Women reflects our commitment to support the underprivileged, especially women, and enable them to build meaningful and rewarding lives. Evolvin’ Women has presented a strong value proposition, which fits with our own organisational purpose to make a difference to the community. With this initiative, more women can contribute to the community and the economy, and by living and working in the UAE, they can share their rich learning experience for the benefit of more women in Zambia.”
By providing laptops, ZANACO aims to accelerate the access of the women participants to online education as well as to build their digital skills. Facilitating the bank accounts will help them to manage their finances well and also save for the future. They will be able to transfer money back home safely and efficiently, and build their financial independence, which is central to empowering women.