Scotiabank Jamaica has began a new programme to help women entrepreneurs and see to it that more females prosper with their businesses.

The Scotiabank Women’s Initiative (SWI) was launched last Friday (January 7) at the AC Marriot Hotel in Kingston.

Below is Nadine Heywood, Scotiabank Group Jamaica’s Director Credit Solutions & Chief Project Coordinator’s full address:

 “I am so pleased to welcome you to the launch of the Scotiabank Women’s Initiative.

Today, January 7, marks the end of the first week of the new year – 2022 – and by all indications and your presence here today, it also marks the beginning of a bright and promising era for women, in business in Jamaica and by extension, across the region.

At Scotiabank, we pride ourselves on our ability to provide financial solutions that unlock opportunities to help our customers to achieve their goals. In recent times, we have also turned our attention to programmes that promote and build resilience from an economic perspective, within the communities that we serve.

The global events of the past two years continue to demonstrate the critical need for us not only to provide resources, but also to share knowledge and useful insights so that, when needed, the beneficiaries can pivot in the face of uncertainty and chart new courses to grow and be successful.

We are now living in the “new normal”, and admittedly, while this global crisis has been devastating in so many respects, it has also opened windows of opportunity and sharpened the focus on areas that were previously underdeveloped.

To borrow from the great Charles Dickens, we are living in the worst of times, but also the best of times.

At Scotiabank, we continue to be optimistic and, on this occasion, through this initiative, we declare that our women are a significantly underutilised resource and a critical element in charting the future for businesses.

Across the world, we see where women continue to be marginalised both directly and indirectly, despite their great accomplishments in societies hindered by ongoing inequalities.

We see where women continue to shoulder responsibilities far greater than the compensation they receive, and unfortunately, even when they are given opportunities, sometimes their full potential remains unrealised, in comparison to their male counterparts.

We see where women continue to strive for success, on their own terms. 

We at Scotiabank see ourselves as enablers of this drive and desire to achieve both now and in the future.

We are also in a unique position to empower and to inspire the current and next generation of female business leaders to achieve far more than previous generations ever imagined.

It is a responsibility that we take seriously, both inside the bank and externally.

Today you will hear from two of our foremost leaders – who also happen to be women – both of whom are products of an amazing cultural ecosystem that celebrates diversity and uses it as a driver for business success.

This is the mission of the Scotiabank Women’s Initiative.

We are on a mission to break down barriers to provide economic opportunity and empower women to be in control of their future.

Today you will also hear more about our plans to achieve these goals and about the impact that we intend to make through this programme, within the business landscape in Jamaica.

Again, I thank you for being here and on behalf of the bank wish you, and all the women and businesses that will participate in the Scotiabank Women Initiative a healthy and productive 2022.”