Standard Chartered Bank has launched a global program dubbed “Goal” aimed at empowering adolescent girls between the ages of 12 and 20.
The program will use sports and life skills education to help the participants make informed life choices.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, the Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing of Standard Chartered Bank, Madam. Asiedua Addai said the programme will focus on providing a good future for young people.
“We all do know that there is a gender gap and for us at Standard Chartered Bank one of the ways to bridge the gender gap is to ensure that both males and females get educated and what’s more important than getting girls from low income communities and empowering them and equipping them with life skills so that we can actually bridge this gender gap,” she said.
About Goal
The initiative was first launched in 2006 as a pilot in Delhi, India (one of the 70 markets Standard Chartered operates in) and reached 70 girls.
Goal has reached more than 285,000 girls from 2006 – 2016 across the 21 countries where Goal is active.
Goal is delivered through local partners and in Ghana with the local partner being Right to Dream Academy
Background
Standard chartered, recognizes that gender equality is critical to economic growth thus the launch of Goal.
They believe ifcountries around the world could achieve gender parity, global annual GDP could increase by as much as $12 trillion by 2025.
Research demonstrates one of the most impactful ways to enable women and facilitate economic equality is to ensure equal access to education
Approach
Goal’s objective is to enable girls with financial education and life skills so that they can play active leadership roles in their families, communities and economies.
Goal targets adolescent girls aged 12 to 20 in urban areas from low-income families.
Employees volunteer their time to support Goal. For example, they offer financial education, organize Goal events, mentor the girls and offer their skills to support their NGO partners.
Launch in Ghana
Under the leadership of Standard Chartered Bank Ghana Limited Chief Executive – Mansa Nettey, Goal was launched in Ghana on May 22, at the Right to Dream Academy in Old Akrade.
The programme will deliver training to 800 girls in the first year.
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By: Anita Arthur/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana
