2017 Standard Bank Top Women Award Winners
To be held on 23 August at Emperor's Palace in Johannesburg, the Top Women Awards will celebrate the women and organisations leading women's empowerment through success. Nominations are now open.
Going back to 2003, Top Women has researched, showcased and awarded gender-empowered companies, encouraging others to push for workplace equality - not only for so-called "PC" reasons, but in the interest of greater socio-economic success. "Research shows that an increase in female entrepreneurs and career women could have far-reaching positive impacts," says Karla Fletcher, Director of Top Women. "Women in business are better borrowers and financial managers than men generally, and women tend to share their success with their communities."
With Standard Bank as a core partner since 2014, Top Women is dedicated to uplifting the career and financial prospects of women throughout South Africa. Initiatives in this regard include widely popular regional conferences at which attendees network with and are inspired by their peers in the business and entrepreneurial space, as well as given access to financial resources and services; the Standard Bank Top Women online community, which empowers ambitious women through nationwide support; and, of course, the annual awards.
"Our partnership with Top Women enables us to effectively contribute towards the 2030 gender parity and developing South African women entrepreneurs, a main driver of economic transformation," says Fletcher. "This is a major part of what we mean when we say, Africa is our home, we drive Her growth."
According to Fletcher, Top Women Director, the 2018 Standard Bank Top Women Awards is known throughout South Africa and industries: "The awards cover both the private and public sector, and have reached thousands of key decision-makers in previous years. To date, we have celebrated nearly 20 000 organisations and individuals, including Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Adv Thuli Madonsela and Sophia Williams-de Bruyn."
Ever since it first employed women more than 100 years ago, Standard Bank has been at the forefront of gender equality. Today, its permanent workforce comprises almost 60% women and its management almost 50%, which is far above the national average of 23%. Now, the bank want's South Africa to achieve similar levels of parity. The categories of the 2018 awards reflect this:
Top Gender-Empowered Women-Owned SMME Award
Diversity in the Workplace Award
Corporate Citizenship Award
Top Gender-Empowered Company:Technical Skills Development Award
Top Gender-Empowered Company:Resources Award
Top Gender-Empowered Company:Retail Award
Top Gender-Empowered Company:Infrastructure Award
Top Gender-Empowered Company: Innovation Through Technology Award
Top Gender-Empowered Company:Health & Pharmaceuticals Award
Top Gender-Empowered Company:Energy & Utilities Award
Top Gender-Empowered Company:Financial Services
Top Gender-Empowered Company:Travel & Hospitality Award
Top Gender-Empowered Public Service Award
Top Woman Entrepreneur Of 2018 Award
Public Sector Woman Leader Award
Top Gender Empowered: Woman in Science Award
Top Male Driving Gender Empowerment Award
Top Young Achiever Of The Year Award
Top Businesswoman Of The Year Award
Top Gender Empowered: Business Of The Year AwardStandard Bank Top Women's most prestigious award celebrates the company that is at the forefront of South Africa's gender empowerment movement. "Being part of the Standard Bank Top Women Awards isn't just a chance to act as an inspiration to other women, it's an opportunity to expand your network, gather knowledge and make lifelong friends," says Fletcher.
The awards are also supported by SACAA, SABC, Schneider Electric, Elijah Barayi Memorial Training Centre, Black Royalty Minerals, Aberdare Cables, British American Tobacco, Liberty and Public Sector Manager.
To nominate a candidate for the 2018 Standard Bank Top Women Awards, or for more information, go to https://topwomen.co.za/awards
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