ABSIP has made the empowerment of black women one of its key strategic objectives from 2006 and beyond. Through specific and targeted activities, ABSIP believes that we can make a meaningful contribution towards the progression of women leaders within the financial sector. Women entering financial services, an industry that is dominated by men, require support, mentorship and nurturing. Without a well-considered intervention, we are unlikely to reach the milestones set in the Financial Sector Charter and the DTI’s Codes of Good Practice with respect to adequate representation of women at top levels of influence in decision-making and growth in our economy. AWIF seeks to make this intervention, thereby ensuring that women draw on what is unique to their socialisation as women and are able to create a different path to the top.

The objectives:

• To provide a support structure and peer networks for black women in the sector through mentorship and learning opportunities;
• To ensure effective skills transfer and the building of strong, globally competitive women leaders;
• To be a repository of data on the progression of black women in the sector.
• To assist corporates in their need to ensure that they have the requisite levels of black women across the spectrum;
• To serve as a think tank and to contribute towards the broader principles and issues of national interest.