The insurance company made a pledge through signing the WIFR Gender Charter.
The event was graced by Annie Nibishaka, Managing Director of Old Mutual Insurance Rwanda, Betty Sayinzoga, co-founder of WIFR and Group HR Executive for Sanlam Allianz, members of the management team and staff.
Speaking at the interactive ceremony, Nibishaka emphasised that joining Women in Finance Rwanda reaffirms Old Mutual Insurance Rwanda's commitment to championing gender inclusivity, and driving meaningful change through deliberate initiatives and measurable progress.
According to Nibishaka, the insurer reports female representation of up to 34% of the company's workforce and an impressive 54.5% in leadership positions.
'These statistics reflect our unwavering commitment to building a balanced workforce and ensuring that women receive the support and guidance necessary for their career advancement, even in the face of unique challenges,' Nibishaka stated.
The MD further emphasized that empowering women in the workplace is not just a corporate objective but a fundamental principle embedded in the company's culture.
'At Old Mutual, we firmly believe in the power of inclusion within the workplace. Empowering women and championing gender equality are not just ideals we aspire toâ€"they are guiding principles reflected in our actions, decisions, and everyday commitments,' she added.
By joining Women in Finance Rwanda, Old Mutual Insurance Rwanda aims to strengthen its initiatives that support women's professional development, mentorship, and leadership training.
Nibishaka expressed optimism that this partnership will open more opportunities for women in finance and help bridge the gender gap in decision-making roles within the sector.
'These partnerships will enable us to leverage valuable opportunities to expand knowledge, support career growth, and celebrate the achievements of our women workforce,' she said.
Betty Sayinzoga, co-founder of WIFR, shared her excitement about Old Mutual's new membership, recognizing the growing strength of the network.
"The network is getting bigger, with almost 20 members, it's very important for us to be able to touch each and every company in the finance sector. Our strengths rely on the size of the network we're building," Sayinzoga remarked.
She also highlighted the significance of the insurance sector's involvement, noting that industry-specific training opportunities are now available and that the upcoming launch of the WIFR Insurance Chapter will further empower women in the sector.
"For women to have access to training with CISI (Chartered Insurance Institute) and other technical insurance training is very important.
"The success of a woman is not a threat; it's a blessing for other women. We are not competitors," she emphasized, reinforcing the collective spirit of WIFR.
The onboarding of Old Mutual Insurance to WIFR comes with several other advantages, including members benefiting from mentorship programs, training, and scholarships.
Five staff members of the insurer are among the first cohort of 20 young professionals set to benefit from a nine-month WIFR mentorship program in partnership with Gates Consulting, which is set to kick off later this month (March).
Clementine Muhorakeye, Internal Audit Manager at Old Mutual Insurance Rwanda, expressed her excitement about joining the mentorship program.
Muhorakeye highlighted the value of learning from successful women in the financial sector, stating, "I'm really eager to interact with my mentor and gain practical experience that will not only benefit our institutions but also the wider community."
Sonia Umwari, Marketing and Communication Manager at Old Mutual, also looks forward to the mentorship journey.
She reflected on the challenges she faced as a woman climbing the corporate ladder and her hope of learning from her seniors while also helping others learn from her challenges, noting, "The biggest challenge was challenging the status quo. I had to prove my value beyond being judged for being a woman.
As curtains came down on the event, Old Mutual Insurance Rwanda formally joined a growing list of insurance companies committed to advancing the gender parity agenda in the sector. Other members include Mayfair, Sanlam, Zep-Re, and dozens of financial institutions that have joined the foundation since its launch in 2023.
Recent partnerships have also expanded to leading financial sector players, such as Bank of Kigali, BRD, NCBA Rwanda, KIFC, Access to Finance Rwanda, EcoBank, I&M Bank, Umwalimu Sacco, Coopedu, and many others.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
