Standard Bank Eswatini completes RFM Female ward rehabilitation project

Standard Bank is committed to partnering with both private and public sectors to contribute to the economic and social wellbeing of Emaswati. Suitably, the Bank has redefined it’s Corporate and Social Responsibility support to contribute towards strategic CSI pillars which has been impacted greatly by the pandemic, these include; Health, Education, Entrepreneurship, Arts and Culture as well as Agriculture.  

Through partnerships with relevant stakeholders across various economic sectors, the Bank is finding new way to stimulate Eswatini’s economy. Standard Bank Eswatini has contributed E1.5 Million towards the rehabilitation of the RFM Female Ward. The project forms part of the Bank’s signature CSI initiatives under the health Pillar and is a project that has been identified as a key International Women’s Day initiative.

Under this year’s theme for the International Women’s Day, #ChooseToChallenge, and with this partnership with the RFM Female Ward, the Bank is committed to celebrating women’s achievements, raising awareness against bias and is continuing to take action for equality.  The project is the Bank’s signature HeforShe initiative. The HeforShe movement, invites men and women to stand in solidarity for gender equality Eswatini. Gender equity is a fundamental human right. Standard Bank Group has committed through partnering with UN Women, to help create a gender-equal world. 

Additionally, the sponsorship came after local media reports of the female ward being forced to close due to its dilapidated state in 2019. True to the Bank’s Mantra “It Can Be”, the Bank committed funds to rehabilitate the structure in line with its commitment towards contributing to improved access to health for women.

In 2020, the rehabilitation of the female ward commenced with the assistance and project management with Microprojects who was selected as the project coordinator on behalf of the various stakeholders such as the DPM’s Office, the Ministry of Health and Standard Bank. The project was completed in early 2021 with the financial collaboration with the National Resources Mobilisation Committee. The fully refurbished ward was handed over on the 8th of March 2021 in line with International Women’s Day to show that they commemorate and appreciate women.