The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, and Turkey’s Alternatif Bank inked a cooperation deal to provide $100 million for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) particularly those run by women. The 5-year maturity financing comprises $80 million from IFC’s own account and $20 million from the Managed Co-Lending Portfolio Program (MCPP), funded by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, with IFC acting in its capacity as the implementing entity. At least 25 percent of the loan proceeds will be used to support Alternatif Bank’s lending to women owned or managed SMEs (WSMEs). Alternatif Bank CEO Kaan Gür said: “We believe that the entrepreneurial spirit, perseverance and assiduity of women have an important place in the development of the Turkish economy. We hope that this loan will contribute to supporting women entrepreneurs, creating more jobs, facilitating new opportunities and financing more SMEs.” Access to finance is one…

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday cut the number of cabinet ministers from 36 to 28, in a move he said would tackle the country’s “bloated” government and improve efficiency. “The people who I am appointing to day must realise that the expectations of the South African people have never been greater and that they will shoulder a great responsibility,” Ramaphosa said in a national address that stressed the need for an “ethical” government. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement followed similar moves by Ethiopia and Rwanda last year. Gender diversity Half the new ministers are women, making South Africa one of the world’s few gender-balanced governments. Ramaphosa announced the new line-up after he led the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party to victory in elections earlier this month. He took office last year after the ousting of graft-tainted Jacob Zuma, who had expanded the number of ministerial posts in an alleged attempt to strengthen…

World Rugby has launched a new global campaign ‘Try and Stop Us’ to increase participation in the women’s game. More girls have started playing rugby than boys in the past two years. The number of registered female players has risen by 28% to 2.7 million since 2017. “We firmly believe that the development of women in rugby is the single greatest opportunity for our sport to grow in the next decade,” said World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont. The campaign includes the stories of 15 women and girls involved in rugby at all levels from around the world. World Rugby women’s advisory committee chairman Serge Simon says rugby is “one of the world’s fastest-growing team sports” and women are at the “heart of the success story”. World Rugby has also launched a website to promote the campaign. Grand Slam winners England became the first 15-a-side professional women’s team on 1 January when the Rugby…

Cherie Blair has been accused of reinforcing stereotypes by telling school children that “most African ladies’ first intercourse experience is rape”. The barrister and women’s rights campaigner made the remark during a talk about women and leadership to pupils at the Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School in London. The event, entitled ‘the leadership lecture’ was attended by around 100 people, took place on March 20 and was hailed as “very popular” by the school. However the 64-year-old wife of the former Prime Minister, Tony Blair, has since been criticised for “usurping” the voice of African women. One audience member at the event, Caitlin, who did not wish to give her surname, told The Guardian that she was surprised by Mrs Blair’s comment. Chi Onwurah, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Africa, called on Mrs Blair to “undo the insult and injury” of her comments. “No one seemed to react and I was shocked…