Womaní is the ranking report of the most influential women in Islamic finance conducted by Cambridge IF Analytica (IFA), which is published by the well-known Islamic finance magazine ISFIRE (Islamic Finance Review). The list comprises the 100 most influential women in Islamic banking and finance (IBF), assessing their influence and leadership over their company and market sector, as well as career and performance to date.
Stella was delighted to again be ranked 1st on the listing for 2018, commenting “I am truly honoured to be included amongst a group of women who are contributing so extensively to the further development of the global Islamic financial services industry, across the expansion of its stakeholders and footprint, the growth of its institutions and the innovation of its product set. Furthermore, it is encouraging that the listing reflects the involvement of women from diverse geographies, from Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Europe further highlighting the expansion of the industry and well as the growing influence of the women who are active within it”
To further recognise the achievements of the 100 women on the 2018 listing, the inaugural Womaní Awards Ceremony & Gala Dinner held on April 4, 2018 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where it was well-received by all in attendance. The chief guest was HE Dato’ Othman Aziz, Deputy Finance Minister of Malaysia. During his keynote address His Excellency referenced the event to the various initiatives Malaysia is embarking upon to promote gender equality in the workplace and draft legislation intended to address the balance between men and women contributing, through their work and efforts, to the country’s economic development .
“The Womaní Awards must inspire a new breed of young women to become actively involved in Islamic banking and finance to eventually assume leadership roles in the industry,” said Professor Humayon Dar, Co-founder of Womani and Chairman of Edbiz Corporation.
“The past decade has seen a growing band of woman professionals breaking down barriers and performing increasingly important roles in the Islamic finance industry. These leading women have become drivers of change that have inspired a whole new generation of female talent. Our Womaní Awards programme not only recognises and celebrates these inspiring women, but it is our hope that Womaní will serve as a platform to support, encourage and promote women in the global Islamic financial services industry.” Dr Sofiza Azmi, CEO of Cambridge IFA and Co-founder of Womaní.