Expansive growth of GWLN Sister Societies continues
Latest additions in the U.S. and Africa push total number of chapters past 100
MADISON, WI (February 7, 2020) — Meeting its goal of establishing 100 Sister Societies by the end of 2019 hasn’t slowed down World Council’s Global Women’s Leadership Network (GWLN).
Credit union women in five African nations and two U.S. states have started new Sister Societies since that benchmark was met last July, bringing the new total to 108 chapters in 26 countries.
Sister Societies are Global Women’s chapters established on a local level around the world to further GWLN’s global mission by making a local impact. The purpose is to convene credit union women, discuss credit union issues, exchange ideas, network with neighboring credit union leaders and provide education to share lessons learned with Network members worldwide.
With the assistance of the Africa Confederation of Co-operative Savings and Credit Associations (ACCOSCA), new GWLN Sister Societies have been established in:
- Eswatini (formerly Swaziland);
- Ghana;
- Kenya;
- Nigeria;
- And The Gambia.
The additions more than double the number of Sister Societies on the continent. Malawi and Uganda were the only African nations where Sister Societies had previously been established.
“We are so encouraged to see credit union women across Africa empowering themselves and others by taking the important step of connecting to our global network of Sister Societies. It is a sure sign that we are living our mission of providing women with the opportunity and resources to make a measurable difference in their own lives, and the lives of their credit union members and communities,” said Lena Giakoumopoulos, GWLN Program Director.
The two additional U.S. chapters were added in Tucson, Arizona and Madison, Wisconsin.
The Madison, Wisconsin Sister Society is notably comprised of women who work at:
GWLN Sister Societies continue to be the main vehicle connecting GWLN members in the U.S. and abroad. This year at the GWLN Breakfast at GAC—attendees will hear about the latest activities from Sister Societies making an impact in their communities.
The GWLN NIgerian Sister Society.
Members of the GWLN Sister Society in Ghana.
The Madison, Wisconsin Sister Society.
About World Council of Credit Unions
World Council of Credit Unions is the global trade association and development platform for credit unions. World Council promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. World Council advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organizations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance programs introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions' financial performance and increase their outreach.
World Council has implemented 300+ technical assistance programs in 90 countries. Worldwide, 82,758 credit unions in 97 countries serve 404 million people. Learn more about World Council's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.
