Copyright mwnation
On October 15, Malawi was buzzing with tributes to the invaluable contributions of mothers. The Mother’s Day holiday spilled to places to-go and left social media purring with gratitude. Malawians often celebrate mothers as the backbone of families, the quiet strength holding everything together. However, their influence does not end at home, as portrayed by stereotypes that confine a woman’s role to the kitchen and bedroom. Globally, women are breaking free to become the backbone of boardroom decisions, transformative action and strong institutions, including flourishing businesses and service providers. For “mother Malawi”, as the national anthem goes, women are driving the growth of life-changing institutions and no sector can do without them. From boardrooms to service desks, they lead and serve with smiles, empathy and courage, boldly shaping the desired future. In the financial sector, the unsung heroes are a common sight in banking halls. In the corridors of the National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc, women such as Bridget Gomani are no mean movers and shakers. They have dedicated years of service to the nation with pride, excellence, resilience and vision. Since 1998, Gomani has risen from an intern to become the international trade manager at the ‘bank for the nation’. She launched her career while studying for a degree in agricultural economics at Bunda College of Agriculture, then a constituent college of the University of Malawi , but now under Lilongwe university of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The intern earned a permanent spot as a bank clerk in 2000 and her enthusiasm saw her being promoted to junior officer and accounts relationship officer for agriculture within nine years. By 2009, Gomani’s focus had shifted to managing small and medium enterprises’ bank accounts and personal lending. She later moved to corporate banking where she worked until 2018 when she was appointed international trade manager. Turning in her swivel chair, she states: “In my current role, I have helped expand and streamline trade finance services to ensure clients receive seamless cross-border support. “My background in agriculture and lending allows me to effectively support clients in strategic sectors while mentoring young staff and promoting a culture of performance, integrity and inclusivity.” To her right sits Abigail Katulukira, who rose from a bank clerk to senior supervisor before becoming an account relationship manager based in Lilongwe After four years, she relocated to Blantyre where she manages Chichiri Service Centre. “One of my most rewarding experiences was managing the largest personal lending portfolio in Lilongwe with no formal handover. Through dedication and client-focused relationship building, I earned customer trust and helped drive business growth. My adaptability and leadership continue to support NBM plc’s growth story,” Katulukira narrates. The branch manager has defied the odds that mostly confine women to tellers’ cubicles and front desks. In the fast-evolving world of digital banking, NBM has trusted Chikondi Kambauwa as the face of innovation. She joined the bank in 2016 and has worked extensively in the provision of cards and e-banking solutions. Kambauwa’s rise allowed her to gain valuable experience across multiple sections. She says: “When I joined NBM, I worked across nearly all units within e-banking, which gave me invaluable exposure to how our operations deliver value to customers. “I’m proud to have contributed to key digital initiatives that have enhanced our channels and improved access to financial services.” The Gender Equality Act requires either gender to occupy no more than 60 percent of seats in public workplaces and training institutions. However, Malawi signed the southern Africa’s regional protocol for gender and development, which promotes equal representation for men and women in decision-making. Coalition and Empowerment of Women and Girls executive director Beatrice Mateyu says increased women’s participation does not only add a feminine touch to service delivery but also reflects a company’s genuine commitment to gender equality, women’s empowerment and inclusion. “It is crucial for financial institutions to include women in their operations. Women serve as mentors to their fellow women and young girls. This also empowers the woman who is employed, as it affirms her capability and value as part of a larger organisation,” she explains. Mateyu says women’s participation in institutional development brings unique perspectives that catalyse women-friendly financial products and strengthen support for women-owned SMEs. “This is key to ensure that women are represented in all aspects of life,” she says. The milestones of women pacesetters in the business are not just tales of personal success, resilience and innovation, but also breaking barriers. When women rise, institutions thrive. When they lead, the nation moves forward. Women are working harder not only to feed and educate their children, but to keep the nation ticking.
