The SHE Word Special - Women and Good Financial Health

For so many of us the thought of a discussion about good financial health immediately triggers a reaction - and not necessarily a good one.

In this episode Host Trudy Kerr and her guests take a passionate, professional and personal close look at Gender Based Career Dynamics, Stereotypes, Gender Balance at Home, Working Mum Guilt, Debt Management and Good Financial Health.

Tax returns, credit cards, pensions, savings, debt management can be create a feeling of dread, panic and worry. Looking at the statistics, it is easy to understand why. In Malta, the gender pay gap sits at 10.2%, however, this gap was higher in certain sectors, such as manufacturing (24.8%), financial and insurance activities (24.1%), and real estate activities (23%).

‘Quite simply, women do not create wealth at the same rates as men. According to the OECD, women receive 26% less income from the pension system than men. 1 in 5 Europeans are in danger of poverty in their old age, and this is 30% higher in women’ Petra Hielkema

The good news is that women are increasingly taking up leadership and executive roles across the financial industry - Women have gradually risen to leadership positions within major insurance companies. In the past few decades, more women have taken on executive and board roles in global insurance firms. Female executives are now shaping strategic decisions in areas like underwriting, risk management, and claims, but more can be achieved.

Joining Host Trudy Kerr for this episode is:

Petra Hielkema

Petra is the Chairperson of EIOPA - The European Investments and Occupational Pensions Authority and has been leading the Authority since September 2021. Petra has a rich heritage in Financial advisory positions at a European level and situated in locations all across Europe.

Andrea Zerafa

Andrea is a lawyer by profession, and holds the position of Deputy Head within the Insurance and Pensions Supervision team at the Malta Financial Services Authority. She is a legal expert, in charge of overseeing changes to legislations, regulations and transpositions for the insurance sector in Malta. Andrea is a proud mother of 3, with the youngest being a one-year old.

Romina Farrugia

Romina is Deputy Head within Insurance and Pensions Supervision team at the Malta Financial Services Authority, and has been with the MFSA for more than 10 years. She is also an expert in financial analysis, and overseas all passporting notifications. Romina is a certified accountant and a mother of two young teens.

In this episode, created in conjunction with the MFSA, the ladies passionately talk through a wide range of areas sharing wisdom, knowledge, compassion and lived experience. From ‘starting them young’ to starting right now, whatever your age, it is never too late to take care of your financial health.

Many thanks to MFSA for working with us to create this conversation.