The Governor of the National Bank of Moldova (BNM), Ms. Anca Dragu, participated in the event “FINGROW in Action: Women Leaders Shaping Financial Systems for Resilient Growth,” organised by Ms. Antonella Bassani, World Bank Vice President for Europe and Central Asia, as part of the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB).
It brought together women leaders from international financial institutions, central banks, and ministries of finance for a dialogue on how solid reforms, market tools, and institutional leadership are being implemented and expanded in various countries to strengthen economic resilience.
During the discussions, the NBM Governor highlighted that gender equality and financial inclusion are key factors in economic competitiveness and sustainability, emphasising the role of central banks in promoting these principles.
"Gender equality in the economic sphere represents both a social responsibility and a priority condition for financial stability and sustainable growth. When women have equal access to education, financial services, resources, and decision-making positions, the entire economy becomes more resilient and competitive. Our role as an institution is to reduce structural barriers and promote an environment where female leadership is a natural reality," said the NBM Governor.
In discussions moderated by Ms Antonella Bassani, the experiences of countries implementing programmes aimed at supporting female entrepreneurship and expanding access to finance were also presented.
In this context, the Governor of the central bank mentioned the Project "FinanciarELE - Women’s Leadership Community ", launched by the NBM in March 2025, which focuses on strengthening the financial and leadership skills of women. The initiative promotes equal opportunities and encourages active participation of women in the economy through financial education programmes, mentoring, and support.
According to the Global Gender Gap Index 2025, the Republic of Moldova ranks 7th out of 148 countries, a significant rise from 13th in 2024 and 19th in 2023. This positioning places Moldova among the top countries globally in promoting gender equality.
The "Women Leaders' Discussion" event strengthens a platform for dialogue among women leaders in the global financial and political spheres, promoting the exchange of best practices and concrete solutions to increase women's participation in the economy and decision-making processes.