FIJI joined the ‘Ring the Bell for Gender Equality’ global campaign where stock exchanges ring the market opening or closing bell to promote gender equality and women empowerment in workplaces, marketplaces and broader communities.
Minister for Women Sashi Kiran rung the bell to mark this occasion at the RBF in Suva on Tuesday, in recognition of International Women’s Day 2025.
The global initiative reflects ongoing efforts to promote greater gender inclusion in business and investment, reinforcing the importance of diversity and equal opportunities within capital markets.
SPX chairperson Nitin Gandhi said as the exchange operator and frontline regulator, SPX acknowledged its unique role in advocating for gender equality and they remained committed to supporting initiatives that built capacity and developed future female leaders in listed companies and the corporate sector.
“As Fiji seeks to attract international capital flows, development partner support, and foreign institutional investments, fostering gender inclusivity within the financial and corporate sectors remains essential,” Mr Gandhi said.
“Creating an equitable environment not only strengthens local markets but also aligns Fiji with global investment trends that prioritise diversity and inclusion.”
Reserve Bank of Fiji governor Ariff Ali said: “By ringing the bell, we signal our collective commitment to advocating for women’s representation in the financial sector and beyond.”
He said it was a call-to-action for continued efforts to bridge the gender gap in financial markets.
“When women have access to capital flows, development partner support, and foreign institutional investments, fostering gender inclusivity within the financial and corporate sectors remains essential,” Mr Ali said.
“Creating an equitable environment not only strengthens local markets but also aligns Fiji with global investment trends that prioritise diversity and inclusion.”
Stock exchanges worldwide have a rich tradition of market opening ceremonies, and among it is the ringing of the bell – a practice dating back to the early days of stock exchanges when trading floors were bustling with activity.
Despite largely automated trading today, Mr Gandhi said the tradition remained a powerful symbol of market transparency, accessibility and the dynamism of public markets, and an advocacy platform for social issues too.
The Ring the Bell theme for IWD 2025 is ‘Ring the Bell for All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment’ – globally organised in partnership with World Federation of Exchanges, International Finance Corporation, UN Women, UN Global Compact, and the Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative.
