The National Bank of Moldova published remarks by Governor Anca Dragu from the launch of the 2026 Female Entrepreneurship and Leadership Index in Bucharest, highlighting persistent structural gender gaps and positioning women’s participation in the economy as an economic necessity. The speech also pointed to central bank initiatives aimed at strengthening women’s leadership and supporting access to financial services. Dragu noted that women in Moldovan financial companies outnumber men by a factor of 3.5, while average male pay in the sector still significantly exceeds female pay, describing this as a glass-ceiling dynamic. The central bank’s response includes FinanciarELE, a female leadership community offering mentoring, training and networking, which has drawn more than 400 participants; within the National Bank of Moldova itself, women represent 64% of staff and hold 53% of leadership positions, with OMFIF assessments cited as placing the institution among European financial organisations with strong gender representation. The remarks also referenced a National Financial Inclusion Strategy being developed with World Bank support, with a focus on expanding vulnerable groups’ access, including women, to modern and safe financial services.
National Bank of Moldova 2026-03-11
National Bank of Moldova highlights gender pay gap in finance and reports FinanciarELE women’s leadership platform has over 400 participants
The National Bank of Moldova's Governor Anca Dragu emphasized gender gaps and the need for women's economic participation at the 2026 Female Entrepreneurship and Leadership Index launch. Initiatives include FinanciarELE, a female leadership community, and a National Financial Inclusion Strategy with World Bank support to improve financial access for vulnerable groups. Despite women outnumbering men in Moldovan financial firms, a significant pay gap persists, described as a glass-ceiling dynamic.