• Boodai: Establishing a fair work environment that prioritizes female empowerment will result in more success for the Bank
• Gulf Bank is fulfilling its commitments to the principles of the United Nations, of which the Bank was a primary signatory in 2019
• Gulf Bank’s latest announcement is making its female employees proud; their empowerment contributes to achieving the Bank’s strategic goals
• Al-Hajjaj: Gulf Bank’s latest decision increases the caliber of talent in the banking sector and the national economy
• Women make up 40% of employees at Gulf Bank, and their share in leadership positions exceeded 30%.
• Gulf Bank would like to congratulate all its female employees, and thank the Board of Directors for their ongoing and unconditional support

 

Kuwait, 28 December 2021: Gulf Bank has affirmed its commitment to abolishing all kinds of gender discrimination between its employees, with the promise of full gender equality between female and male employees in terms of employment benefits, thereby consolidating the Bank’s position as a leading institution in Kuwait. As the first bank in Kuwait to implement this decision, Gulf Bank’s latest announcement comes as part of the Bank’s commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and as part of Gulf Bank’s 2025 Strategy, of which a primary pillar focuses on achieving social sustainability at the internal and external levels.

 

The Chairman of the Board of Gulf Bank, Jassim Mustafa Boodai, commented, “With this decision, Gulf Bank is fulfilling its commitment to female empowerment, as stipulated within the principles of the United Nations, of which Gulf Bank was one of the primary signatories in Kuwait in 2019.”

 

Boodai remarked that Gulf Bank prioritized this pledge as part of its business strategy and in accordance with the fifth principle of the United Nations’ SDGs, which aim to promote gender equality and female empowerment in the workplace and society. Gulf Bank’s commitment to sustainability and gender equality were also recently detailed in the Bank’s recent launch of its first sustainability report for the year 2020.

 

Boodai added, “Our employees are a source of great pride at Gulf Bank. We firmly believe that establishing a fair work environment — in which women are supported and empowered — will achieve more success for the Bank, establish a healthier work culture for all, and will enhance Gulf Bank’s position as the employer of choice in the Kuwaiti financial sector.”

 

On her part, Gulf Bank's General Manager of Human Resources, Salma Al-Hajjaj, said, "We would like to congratulate the Bank's female employees for obtaining the same benefits that their male counterparts enjoy, for both themselves and their families.” Al-Hajjaj expressed her thanks to the Bank's Board of Directors, which has consistently strived to enhance Gulf Bank’s workplace and promote fairness and equality.

 

Al-Hajjaj pointed out that female empowerment and gender equality in the workplace require serious and specific policies, having evolved from ambition and hope to a tangible reality at Gulf Bank. Al-Hajjaj also noted that the financial cost of the decision did not stand in the way of the Board of Directors and the executive management's decision to implement gender equality for its employees, granting equal employment benefits to all.

 

She affirmed the Bank's keenness to empower women, whether through employment or in supporting women’s career paths in pursuit of higher leadership positions. Women currently make up over 40% of the Bank's total employees, with 30% of leadership roles at the Bank also held by women.

 

She explained that the decision to achieve gender equality in employment benefits extends far beyond financial raises. Gender equality increases the demand for female talent in the Bank and contributes to the rise of female talent in the banking sector and the national economy.

 

Al-Hajjaj added that female empowerment in the workplace also increases the caliber of talent and expertise within the Bank, including those of their male colleagues. Female empowerment also helps all employees build on ideas and create positive competition in pursuit of leadership positions. In turn, all of these efforts support the Bank's ability to make decisions that contribute to achieving its strategic plans and desired goals.

 

Al-Hajjaj concluded by saying, “Our employees are at the heart of our success at Gulf Bank, and it is because of them that we are constantly working to enhance the culture we enjoy in our workplace — a culture which is based on justice, equality, employee engagement, and career advancement. We firmly believe that all of these efforts and more will help us to maintain Gulf Bank’s position as the employer of choice for both employees and job seekers everywhere.”

 

Gulf Bank's vision is to be the leading Kuwaiti Bank of the Future. The Bank is constantly engaging and empowering its employees as part of an inclusive and diversified workplace in recognition of every employee’s role in delivering customer excellence and serving the community at large. With its extensive network of branches and innovative digital services, Gulf Bank is able to give its customers the choice of how and where to conduct their banking transactions, all while ensuring a simple and seamless banking experience. Gulf Bank is committed to maintaining a robust sustainability program at the community, economic, and environmental levels through sustainability initiatives that are strategically selected to benefit both the country and the Bank. Gulf Bank supports Kuwait Vision 2035 “New Kuwait” and works with the different relevant parties to achieve it.

 

To learn more about Gulf Bank’s various activities and initiatives, customers can visit one of the Bank’s branches, or visit the Gulf Bank website at www.e-gulfbank.com. Customers can also use the WhatsApp service on 1805805 for round-the-clock assistance from Gulf Bank representatives, or call the Customer Contact Center on the same number.