- 115 exchanges around the world, including the Swiss exchange also operated by SIX, are joining this international initiative once again, which BME has supported for the ninth consecutive year
The Spanish stock exchange opened today’s session with a Bell Ringing for Gender Equality. As every year for the past nine, BME has joined this international initiative held to mark International Women’s Day. Helena Viñes, board member of the CNMV and chair of the European Commission’s Platform on Sustainable Finance, rang the bell at the Madrid Stock Exchange Palace. She was accompanied by Cristina Sánchez, executive director of the UN Global Compact Spain and co-chair of the UN Global Compact Global Network Council; Eva D. Castro, president of UN Women Spain; and Juan Flames, CEO of BME.
The Bell Ringing, attended by more than 120 people and also available via livestream, is part of the “Ring the Bell for Gender Equality” initiative promoted by the United Nations Global Compact, WFE, SSE, IFC, and UN Women, which this year carries the motto “Rights. Justice. Action.” More than a hundred stock exchanges around the world have joined the initiative this year, in which BME is participating for the ninth consecutive year. Among them is the Swiss exchange, operated by SIX, the owner of BME, which will join the celebration tomorrow with an Opening Bell alongside elite athletes.
Helena Viñes stated in her speech that “investment is neither abstract nor neutral, and that is why sustainable investment is so important, because it drives economic and social progress, with gender equality at its core. Sustainable investment can and should play an important role in improving the lives of millions of women.”
Cristina Sánchez explained: “As every year, with this event we send a clear message for the financial markets to hear: gender equality is a key factor in competitiveness. Promoting equal opportunities not only strengthens women, but also reinforces our economies and contributes to a fairer and more prosperous future for everyone.”
For her part, Eva D. Castro emphasized that “laws alone will not transform cultures or guarantee outcomes. We will not tear down the invisible wall that stops women before they reach corporate decision-making bodies if we do not first resolve the precariousness of care. At a time of international backsliding, we need companies to demand justice in every contract, in every environment where they operate, and throughout their value chain.”
Juan Flames, CEO of BME, indicated that financial education is essential for women to take control of their financial lives and continue generating wealth. “We cannot afford to underestimate the talent of 50% of the population,” he said.
Promoting gender equality is one of BME’s core goals as a market infrastructure operator and as a company. BME has been part of the UN Global Compact Spain since 2011 and, since 2015, of the Sustainable Stock Exchanges initiative, which seeks to foster sustainable investment through the Sustainable Development Goals set by the UN for the 2030 Agenda. In addition, since 2021, BME has had the IBEX® Gender Equality, an index that brings together the Spanish listed companies most advanced in gender equality.
You can find more information about this event at the following links:
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