BCSE held a trading opening ceremony: Ring the Bell for Gender Equality
In celebration of International Women’s Day the Belarusian Currency and Stock Exchange held its annual event Ring the Bell for Gender Equality under the theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL women and girls”, marking the ceremonial opening of the trading day with a symbolic ringing of the BCSE bell on March 6, 2026.
In his opening speech, Andrei Aukhimenia, Chairman of the BCSE Board, noted that for the Belarusian Currency and Stock Exchange participation in this campaign is not just a symbolic gesture, but a reflection of our daily reality and human resources policy. The Republic of Belarus, following the principles of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, is consistently building a society of equal opportunity. And BCSE as an element of the country’s financial system is a mirror of these processes. Today, over 55% of the BCSE employees are women, 45% of women are managers. These figures are the best argument that professionalism, competence, and responsibility are gender-neutral. The BCSE management consistently ensures equal opportunities for career advancement and does not tolerate wage discrimination.
Our country demonstrates similar dynamics at the national level. Belarus holds a strong position in global rankings, having significantly reduced the gender gap: by the end of 2025, we had risen to 27th place out of 172 countries in the Gender Gap Index. Belarus is among the countries that have achieved the target for women’s participation in decision-making. Today, women make up 50% of organizational leadership, with 49% of them serving as top executives. Moreover, 44 percent of female managers have minor children.
We perceive gender equality not as an abstract theory, but as a pragmatic tool for sustainable development. When we talk about equal rights and opportunities, we also talk about economic efficiency, a harmonious work-life balance, and a healthy society where every person—woman or man—can contribute and realize their potential. Belarus has created the conditions for this: from parental leave for up to three years with continued employment to the recently established national holiday, Father’s Day, which emphasizes the importance of equal rights in raising children.
The event was held in support of the UN Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative, which includes 138 exchanges worldwide and is implemented with the participation of international organizations such as the UN Global Compact, UN Women, the International Finance Corporation, the World Federation of Exchanges, and Women in ETFs as global partners.
This year, 115 of the world’s largest exchanges participated in similar events dedicated to the opening or closing of trading.
