UAE Minister for Foreign Trade Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi has topped the list of the world’s 100 most powerful Arab women, published on Monday by CEO Middle East…article

Soon, India would be one of the first countries to set up a bank not only targeted at women but also run by women. Indonesia, with a few financial institutions targeted at women, may only come as a distant second since the facilities do not qualify as a full-fledged bank…..

TM Bhasin, chairman and managing director, Indian Bank, also hailed the move. He said such a bank would help in uplift of women in general. Though the bank would primarily lend to women, Chidambaram said, deposits would be taken from male customers as well…article

Finance Minister P Chidambaram in his presentation of the Union Budget on Thursday had many women-related issues covered with a women’s bank and a Nirbhaya Fund as the highlights.

Bengaluru: With major plans for women, Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Thursday has wooed the fair sex.
High among the plans is the allocation of Rs. 1000 crore for safety and empowerment of women which will be called Nirbhaya Fund.
The country is also all set to get an all-women bank by this year with the government announcing an initial capital of Rs. 1,000 crore for the purpose.
Announcing the Budget proposals for 2013-14, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said the bank is likely to be set by October this year.
“I…propose to set up India’s first women bank as the public sector. I shall provide Rs. 1,000 crore as initial capital. I hope to obtain the necessary approval and banking licence by October, 2013,” he said…article

The chief executive of embattled surfwear brand Billabong says women have to ask for leadership roles, rather than expect to be offered the top jobs.

Launa Inman, one of the few female leaders of a major listed Australian company, says talented women often wrongly believe they will be headhunted for a senior position…article

A qualification in finance or a background that demonstrates considerable financial acumen is key to women getting into boardroom positions.

According to a press release, the research from Cranfield University School of Management  was commissioned by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). It found that 45% of female executive directors are financially qualified and 65% have a financial background, while 26% of their male colleagues are financially qualified and 44% have a financial background…article

Exposing the myth of female foolishness with finance, and explaining why the remedies would help men, too…article

Office on Violence Against Women Acting Director Bea Hanson Speaks at the D.C. Office of Victim Services’ National Stalking Awareness Month Event

….We know the serious toll that stalking can take on the victims — emotionally, psychologically, physically, financially — every aspect of their lives can be impacted and jeopardized…..article