FinTech Magazine - March 2021 | Page 95

GENDER EQUALITY

Speaking with I . Javette Hines from Citi , we explore the reasons why supporting female-led business could be critical to finance ’ s new normal

WRITTEN BY : WILL GIRLING

Falling on the eighth of March every year since 1913 , International Women ’ s Day is a global reminder that , although progress has been made over the last century , women still do not enjoy complete parity with men in terms of rights , wages , opportunities and more .

The world of finance , unfortunately , is no different : Deloitte reports that only seven per cent of startup founders in the sector are female , despite the same research revealing that the same demographic was more likely to deliver higher ROI . Furthermore , even though 50 % of university graduates are female , they constitute a mere seven per cent of Fortune 500 CEOs . Clearly a disparity exists in the industry as it stands today , but it doesn ’ t need to stay that way . If the pandemic has taught the world of business anything , it ’ s that dynamic changes must be made to corporate operating philosophies if they are to survive in the new normal . To find out more and learn how a leading bank is addressing this critical issue , we spoke with I . Javette Hines , Director and Head of Supply Chain Development , Inclusion and Sustainability at Citi . fintechmagazine . com 95