Employee volunteers from MetLife Bangladesh worked with Habitat for Humanity Bangladesh, to help rebuild houses for four families in Gazipur, on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2019. Habitat for Humanity organized a Women Build where female students and various professionals joined together to rebuild four MetLife Foundation-funded houses for families who are in need of decent housing.
MetLife volunteers worked alongside Habitat Young Leaders Build volunteers from youth groups and students in public and private universities and colleges – all helped out in moving and crushing bricks, soiling, mixing cement with bricks and laying them to construct houses together with the community. The whole day was spent rebuilding houses and discussing the importance of having a clean and healthy environment. Other activities include discussions around how women’s education and women’s participation as professionals in the workforce can lead to financial empowerment and a better future.
John Armstrong, National Director of Habitat for Humanity Bangladesh said, “Working together with MetLife to mark International Women’s Day, we recognize the need to empower women to take an active part in creating housing solutions that will help remove barriers to a better, healthier, and more financially stable life. With support, women can achieve the strength, stability and independence that they need to build a better future for themselves and their families.
MetLife Foundation has worked closely with Habitat for Humanity on a number of projects in various countries across Asia. In 2018, more than 8000 MetLife volunteers contributed over 25,000 hours across 9 countries in Asia.
MetLife also has become the 24th company and the first insurer to join the UN Women Global Innovation Coalition for Change. The Coalition is a dynamic partnership between UN Women and key representatives from the private sector, academia, and not-for-profit institutions focused on developing the innovation market to work better for women and to accelerate the achievement of gender equality and women’s empowerment
The announcement was made at an International Women’s Day forum at MetLife’s headquarters in New York City.
“Being asked to join the UN Women Global Initiation Coalition for Change is a testament to MetLife’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and to developing innovative solutions that create opportunities for everyone,” said Michel Khalaf, President, U.S. Business and EMEA and incoming MetLife CEO.
“We look forward to working with the Coalition to drive greater impact for women around the world.”
