The Central Bank of Libya (CBL) Banking Supervision Inspector Munira Sharshar is an advocate for women in banking leadership and is working to improve gender equality in the banking sector. “In spite of what people think, banking is not really a male-dominated occupation,” she says. “Many women pursue studies in accounting and finance, and if you go into any bank in Libya, they are full of female employees.”
During her 12 year career, Ms. Sharshari has worked in various departments, learning everything from monetary policy and planning to Islamic financing, bank regulation, and banking supervision. In 2021, she became one of Libya’s first on-site banking supervision inspectors after completing USAID-supported technical training on international requirements for risk management, core financial solvency, and liquidity standards.
To help ensure the CBL can meet financial safety and soundness standards, USAID continues to conduct workshops focused on the international banking control requirements for inherent risk management. In June, 30 evaluators, economists, anti-money laundering specialists and inspectors, including Ms. Sharshari, attended a workshop on operational, credit, and market risks. The workshop helped bank employees deepen their knowledge of the inherent risk the bank faces every day as well as ways to mitigate risk.
Ms. Sharshari credits USAID’s training in helping her achieve her goal of becoming an inspector and wants to see more women in leadership roles at the CBL. “I think women fear they will not be accepted,” she said. “But I would encourage them not to hesitate. It is a matter of gaining training and experience, not a question of being a man or a woman.” USAID continues to support bank employees like Ms. Sharshari in their efforts to make the CBL a more efficient, trusted, and transparent institution, with diverse leadership and management.
