National Bank of Moldova links gender equality to financial stability and sustainable growth at FinanciarELE event

The National Bank of Moldova published a readout of Governor Anca Dragu’s remarks at the FinanciarELE women’s leadership community event, held within Global Money Week 2026, linking gender equality to economic development. She framed equal access for women to education, financial services, resources and decision-making roles as a condition for financial stability and sustainable growth, and positioned the central bank’s role as removing structural barriers and supporting an environment where female leadership is normal. More than 150 representatives from academia and the Women of Moldova Alliance attended, alongside invited speakers from Moldovan academia and civil society and a Romanian financial education expert. Discussions covered challenges women face in the financial sector, the case for more balanced representation in leadership roles and approaches to overcoming gender stereotypes, including mentoring, leadership skills development and more inclusive workplaces. The Bank cited data indicating that women in Moldovan financial companies outnumber men by about 3.5 to 1, but that pay gaps remain to women’s disadvantage, and referenced World Bank estimates that matching men’s participation in the formal economy could increase income per capita by nearly 20% and that eliminating the global gender gap could add up to USD 7 trillion to the world economy. FinanciarELE, launched by the National Bank of Moldova in March 2025, aims to build women’s financial and leadership competencies through financial education programmes, mentoring and professional support as part of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Global Money Week campaign running 16–22 March 2026 under the theme “Smart Money Talks”.