Despite significant strides towards gender equality, women continue to face systemic barriers in the workforce and daily life. According to the United Nations (UN)’s Gender Snapshot 2024 Report, women are disproportionately affected by extreme poverty, with 24.30 million more women than men living in extreme poverty globally. Additionally, women dedicate nearly three (3) times as many hours as men on unpaid domestic and care work, limiting their access to economic opportunities. These disparities highlight the need for systemic change, reinforcing the global significance of International Women’s Day (IWD), observed annually on March 8 to celebrate women’s achievements and advocate for gender parity.
In line with the 2025 IWD theme, #AccelerateAction, FMDQ commemorated this year’s celebration with a two-pronged initiative: supporting the Hearts of Hope Shelter Nigeria (the “Shelter”) and participating in the global ‘Ring the Bell for Gender Equality’ event. This initiative underscores our commitment to driving real impact, particularly in advancing the ‘Supporting the Supporters’ sub-theme, which highlights individuals and organisations dedicated to women empowerment and gender equality. Recognising that, at the current pace, gender parity may not be achieved until 2158—five generations from now, FMDQ took deliberate action to empower and uplift women in vulnerable circumstances.
As part of its outreach, FMDQ provided essential food supplies, sanitary items, and financial support to the Shelter, a safe haven for victims and survivors of gender-based violence. Beyond donations, the engagement also fostered meaningful discussions with beneficiaries, promoting well-being, resilience, and economic empowerment, key drivers in the fight for gender equality. Further reinforcing its commitment, FMDQ participated in the ‘Ring the Bell for Gender Equality’ initiative, a globally recognised event led by the World Federation of Exchanges, the International Finance Corporation, the UN Global Compact, UN Women, and the Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative. Hosted across financial markets worldwide, this initiative promotes awareness of gender equality in business and finance, encouraging companies to adopt inclusive policies and practices.
As the world unites to #AccelerateAction for gender equality, FMDQ remains steadfast in its advocacy for women’s empowerment. Aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 – Gender Equality, we are committed to initiatives that drive inclusivity, champion economic empowerment, and foster an equitable society. By supporting those who actively champion gender equality, FMDQ reinforces its dedication to corporate responsibility, sustainability, and meaningful social impact—ensuring a future where every woman has the opportunity to thrive.
FMDQ Group PLC (“FMDQ Group”) is Africa’s first vertically integrated financial market infrastructure (FMI) group, strategically positioned to provide registration, listing, quotation and noting services; integrated trading, clearing & central counterparty, settlement, and risk management for financial market transactions; depository of securities, as well as data and information services, across the debt capital, foreign exchange, derivatives and equity markets, through its wholly owned subsidiaries – FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited (“FMDQ Exchange”), FMDQ Clear Limited, FMDQ Depository Limited and FMDQ Private Markets Limited. As a sustainability-focused FMI group, FMDQ Group, through FMDQ Exchange, operates Africa’s premier Green Exchange – FMDQ Green Exchange – positioned to lead the transition towards a sustainable future.