Eldik Bank is the first bank in Kyrgyzstan to sign the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) and a partner of the Ring the Bell for Gender Equality initiative
The 6th annual opening bell ceremony “Ring the Bell for Gender Equality” was held in Bishkek under the theme “Rights. Equality. Action. For all women and girls.” The event was organized by the Kyrgyz Stock Exchange in partnership with UN Women in the Kyrgyz Republic.
Eldik Bank participated as a partner of the event, reaffirming its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote equal opportunities for women and girls and contribute to building a sustainable and inclusive economy in Kyrgyzstan.
The event brought together representatives of the business community, government institutions, international organizations, and civil society to discuss the institutional foundations of gender equality and the role of justice in ensuring women’s economic rights.
A key highlight of the ceremony was the signing by Eldik Bank of the global initiative Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) – Business Means Equality, launched by UN Women and the United Nations Global Compact. This step confirms the Bank’s intention to systematically integrate a gender-responsive approach into corporate governance, HR practices, and the development of financial products, as well as to expand support for women entrepreneurs.
Dr. Sayed Sadik, Representative of UN Women, noted:“Today is a particularly important day for us as Eldik Bank has joined our initiative. The signing of the Women’s Empowerment Principles is an important step toward strengthening gender equality and supporting women’s participation in economic and public life.”
In turn, Deputy Chairperson of the Management Board of Eldik Bank Aichurek Zhakypova stated:“Financial institutions are part of the infrastructure of trust. Our task is not only to provide access to financing but also to build a fair and inclusive financial system. Equal opportunities are the foundation of sustainable economic development.”
In addition, Aichurek Zhakypova participated in a panel discussion dedicated to the role of the financial sector in promoting equal opportunities. In her speech, she noted that participation in the Ring the Bell for Gender Equality initiative reflects the Bank’s strategic commitment to strengthening sustainable development principles, consistently integrating ESG approaches, and expanding partnerships with international organizations.
