Amana Bank continues to strengthen women empowerment

IN commemoration of international Women's Day, Amana Bank reaffirms its commitment to women’s empowerment through Various impactful initiatives to foster financial independence, leadership, and inclusion for women across Sri Lanka. Through its inclusive workforce strategies and women-centricbanking services, Amana Bank isleading the way in supporting women in both the workplace and the financial sector.

- 

The Daily FT editorial recently caught up with the Senior Management Team at Amana Bank to discuss the banks efforts in empowering women both in the workplace and beyond.

Here are the excerpts from the interview.

Head of Human Resources

Hilufa Agees

Q: How has Amana Bank built a culture that values diversity and inclusion to encourage more women to be part of its workforce in its overall HR strategy, and what part of the total staff are women?

A: At Amana Bank, we champion an inclusive and diverse workplace where every individual, regardless of gender, has equal opportunities to excel. As Sri Lanka's pioneer in Alternative/People-Friendly Banking, we uphold ethical business practices that promote fairness and inclusivity. Our HR strategy is designed to attract, retain, and nurture female talent, ensuring that women have ample opportunities to contribute meaningfully. Today, women make up approximately 16% of our workforce, with a growing presence in leadership roles and strategic positions, where key Management Committee posts are held by females including our Head of Legal and Head of HR.

Q: What initiatives have Amana Bank rolled out to ensure women have the same chances to grow in their careers, including reaching top management/leadership roles?

A: We are committed to providing structured career development programs, leadership training, and mentorship initiatives tailored for our female employees. This commitment is reflected in the increasing recognition of women at our annual Amana Bank Award Ceremony, where more women have been celebrated for their contributions. Notably, in 2024, we saw the first female CEO award winner, demonstrating the growing impact of women in leadership within the bank.

Q: What percentage of new hires are women, and how are they spread out across different locations within the bank?