Trade Finance Global is proud to launch our video to celebrate the upcoming International Women’s Day on March 8, 2023.

International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Significant activity is witnessed worldwide as groups come together to celebrate women’s achievements or rally for women’s equality.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2023, we highlight the careers, experiences, and achievements of women across the industry to #EmbraceEquity. Despite progress, the gender pay gap and representation in the finance sector is still a significant issue that needs to be addressed.

TFG’s Women In Trade, Treasury & Payments (WITTP) campaign aim’s to celebrate all women; to learn from their challenges, to hear their stories and to share their successes.

We hope to inspire other women to pursue careers in this trade, treasury and payments – but more than that, to showcase the importance of trade for female economic empowerment across the globe.

Women in Trade 2023

Some of our panellists

Angela Ellard

DDG Angela Ellard

Deputy Director General, World Trade Organization

Reta Jo Lewis

Chair Reta Jo Lewis

President and Chair of the Board of Directors, US EXIM

Mencia Bobo

Mencia Bobo

Global Head of Trade & Working Capital Solutions, Santander

Natalia Clements

Natalia Clements

Senior Trade Finance Product Specialist, Swiss Re

Other panellists featured in this video include:

  • Catherine Lang-Anderson: Allen & Overy
  • Gwen Mwaba: Afreximbank
  • Helen Jones: Visa
  • Kimberley Botwright: World Economic Forum (WEF)
  • Lorna Pillow: London Forfaiting Company/International Trade and Forfaiting Association (LFC/ITFA)
  • Lynette Thorstensen: Fairtrade International
  • Nathalie Louat: International Finance Corporation (IFC)
  • Neha Noronha: Asian Development Bank
  • Raelene Martin: International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)

We explored the following topics:

  • Though there are some large, industry wide challenges that women face, what are some examples of day-to-day challenges for women in the workplace?
  • ASEAN countries have much better gender equity stats than many other regions, what can you attribute this to?
  • How has COVID changed the workplace dynamic for women? Does remote working decrease or increase the burden placed on women?
  • Do you believe that investing in women-led enterprises can help close the gender gap globally?
  • How do we start equity initiatives to society as a whole, and specifically to the younger generation?
  • What is an example of a successful initiative that has helped elevate women in Africa?
  • The Financial Service Industries (FSI) is notorious for having poor gender diversity numbers, what can this industry do to promote women in the workplace?
  • How can we make sure that the industry addresses diverse female challenges (e.g women from minority backgrounds, women with/without children)?
  • How can we get more women involved in the international trade and trade finance industry and what role do governments play in this process?
  • What are the similarities and differences that women in developing countries face in terms of gender equity in their work?
  • In your experience, do female leaders have a larger impact on sustainability and ESG efforts than their male counterparts?
  • How can men overcome internal biases that are harmful to women? How do we approach this issue with men who are uncomfortable with this topic?

Hosted and presented by

Natasha Roston, Trade Finance Global

359 registered attendees

35 banks & funders

90 minute webinar

Streamed to 12 countries

Sponsors and partners

sponsors
Women in Trade 2023

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About the Author

Natasha Roston is Head of People and Growth at Trade Finance Global (TFG). 

She builds partnerships to create innovative trade finance education projects and experiences. A key advocate for TFG’s annual Women In Trade campaigns, Natasha wrote a piece on the impact of gender stereotypes for gender equality in the workplace in 2022. Natasha is also responsible for TFG careers, culture, and team growth. A Level 2 Qualified Coach and Mental Health First Aid Champion, she leads internal training, supporting the holistic wellbeing of the team.

Before joining TFG Natasha worked in education for over a decade. Initially as a classroom teacher, and then in academic and pastoral leadership roles. Following this, she worked in EdTech as a Learning Design Coach for Aula’s Higher Education platform.

Natasha holds an MA from Tel Aviv University, a History PGCE from The Institute of Education and a BA from the University of Nottingham. Currently, she is studying for her Level 3 Certificate in International Trade from the Institute of Export & International Trade. In addition to her work at TFG, Natasha volunteers for the Young Women’s Trust as a Work It Out – CV Volunteer. 

 

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