The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) says it has disbursed more than N98 billion to female entrepreneurs in Nigeria as at February 2022.
Managing Director of the bank Mr. Tony Okapnachi who made this known in Abuja when the bank celebrated the International Women’s Day, emphasized that gender equity is crucial to meeting development goals, reducing human suffering, and solving the biggest environmental challenges.
According to Okapnachi, Women across the world, continue to suffer from gender inequality, including child labour, forced marriages, gender-based violence, sexist policies, as well as barriers to participation in education and employment.
Okapnachi identified the stereotypes and biases that women have to contend with to include “Women Can’t Be Leaders; Women Are Irrational; Women Can’t Handle Huge Responsibilities and many more”.
The DBN MD was however of the view that these preconceived notions against women must be challenged for the society to make progress.
As Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Development Bank of Nigeria Plc, he said he has led “a team that is deliberately breaking these biases”.
This he said “is anchored on the appreciation and recognition of the strategic role women play as reliable builders of micro, small, and medium scale enterprises, a segment we are mandated to provide funding to”.
Okapnachi noted that “it is admirable that we are now challenging these biases, especially in the workplace; we must also be aware of the unintended consequence of this new level of openness and embrace it with optimism instead of fear”.
