Grant triples up

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Westpac Fiji CEO Kip Hanna, middle, with some of his team members. Picture: SUPPLIED

The Westpac Women and Girls Education Grant program has tripled the number of grants on offer for 2020 in light of the COVID-19.

Westpac Fiji had launched the annual competition for education grants to women and girls a decade ago according to a statement from the bank.

“I’m pleased to say that equality is a real priority for us and by that I mean we try to create a brighter future for all of the people who bank with us, work with us, or are part of the communities in which we operate – and of course the best possible future will only come when everyone has the same opportunities and chances for growth and achievement,” said Westpac Fiji’s chief executive Kip Hanna.

“We all know the challenges women face when it comes to glass ceilings, pay gaps, discrimination, domestic violence and managing demands of family life and career.

“And we know that an economic shock like the current pandemic often results in females not returning to school or pursuing advanced studies when family budgets are stretched.

“By increasing this grants program in 2020, we want to help more women and girls – and their families – giving them a better chance to succeed and reach their full potential.”

The competition was stated to support the equal opportunity for women and girls through education while acknowledging the difficulties females faced in completing education or pursuing advanced studies.

The bank stated a key pillar of Westpac Fiji’s sustainability strategy was “Making Women Count”, as it took a shared value approach and recognised empowering women was not only a moral imperative but it made good business sense.

The theme for this year’s competition is #EachforEqual, which according to the bank was in line with the International Women’s Day.

The bank stated girls and women pursuing primary, secondary and tertiary education were encouraged to apply.

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