Long dedicated to women and diversity across the globe, and conscious of the growing global awareness of the multiplier effect, Standard Chartered’s leadership embraced the mission of gender equality as a lever for strengthening communities and increasing economic and business development. It is also dedicated to taking this message one step further by focusing not only on women outside the bank walls, but also its own women employees. In 2005, the Bank began to construct a company-wide coordinated approach to its gender-related work, initiating more deliberate and structured efforts toward establishing itself as a leader in gender diversity. The Bank’s aim to become a leader in gender diversity feeds into its larger diversity agenda, which includes efforts aimed at employee engagement and productivity, women’s representation, and work-life balance.