NORFOLK, Va., Dec. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Two leaders from PRA Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: PRAA), a publicly traded global leader in acquiring and collecting nonperforming loans, were honored in the 20th annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business. PRA Group UK Head of Customer Services Vikki Wilkins has been named the winner of a Gold Stevie Award in the Female Employee of the Year, Business category. Vice President of Business Development and Client Services Melissa Roomsburg earned a Bronze Stevie Award in the same category. The Stevie Awards for Women in Business honor the achievements of women executives, entrepreneurs, employees and the companies they run—worldwide. The Stevie Awards have been hailed as the world's premier business award. More than 1,600 entries were submitted this year for consideration in more than 100 categories, including Executive of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Female Employee of the Year, Company of the Year, Startup of the Year, Women Helping Women and Women Run Workplace of the Year. Leading customer service for the publicly traded global financial services company's UK operation, Wilkins has transformed trainings and processes for addressing vulnerable populations both within PRA Group and across the industry. Roomsburg conducts critical work not only in building and maintaining relationships with banks and other creditors and the successful purchase of portfolios of nonperforming loans, but also in serving as co-chair of PRA Group's Women in Business Advocates Employee Resource Group and on the board of Arts for Learning Virginia. PRA Group Spokesperson and Senior Vice President of Communications and Public Policy Elizabeth Kersey said, "Vikki and Melissa each lead teams that are vital to our global business at distinct stages of our process, but they have in common a determination to take a hands-on approach to generating growth where they see the opportunity for improving operations and the development of their colleagues. We offer these women our congratulations on this significant accomplishment and our gratitude for all they contribute to PRA Group." Gold, Silver and Bronze Stevie Award winners were determined by the average scores of more than 200 business professionals around the world, working on six juries.  Maggie Miller, president of the Stevie Awards, said, "In its 20th year, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business received an outstanding body of nominations from women in organizations of all types, in 26 nations. We are gratified by how meaningful it is to women to win a Stevie Award, and how impactful it can be on the futures of their careers and their organizations. We congratulate all of this year's Grand, Gold, Silver and Bronze Stevie Award winners for their achievements." Details about the Stevie Awards for Women in Business and the list of winners in all categories are available at www.StevieAwards.com/Women.  About PRA GroupAs a global leader in acquiring and collecting nonperforming loans, PRA Group, Inc. returns capital to banks and other creditors to help expand financial services for consumers in the Americas, Europe and Australia. With thousands of employees worldwide, PRA Group companies collaborate with customers to help them resolve their debt. For more information, please visit www.pragroup.com. Media Contact:Elizabeth KerseySenior Vice President, Communications and Public Policy(757) 641-0558Elizabeth.Kersey@PRAGroup.com Investor Contact:Najim Mostamand, CFAVice President, Investor Relations(757) 431-7913IR@PRAGroup.com About the Stevie Awards Stevie Awards are conferred in eight programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards®, The International Business Awards®, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. A ninth program, the Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence, will debut in 2024. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/819349/PRA_Logo.jpg  View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/two-pra-group-leaders-win-stevie-awards-in-2023-stevie-awards-for-women-in-business-302003671.html

MUMBAI, India, Nov. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Piramal Enterprises Limited ('PEL') (NSE: PEL) (BSE: 500302) has marked a substantial stride in its dedication to sustainability with the unveiling of its inaugural Sustainability Report, 'Doing well and Doing Good", for the fiscal year 2023. Underlining its commitment to financial inclusion, PEL disbursed ₹6,518 Cr., empowering 1,27,258 women borrowers in FY2023. The report not only demonstrates the company's endeavour to creating a lasting impact on its customers, society, and the nation, but also emphasizes its role in advancing the broader mission of a sustainable and inclusive Bharat. In line with its dedication to promoting financial inclusion, PEL offers a diverse range of products tailored to underserved individuals while actively promoting financial literacy. This commitment aligns seamlessly with the aspirations of the people of 'Bharat,' helping India grow with alternative investments and making medium-scale enterprises truly scalable in the country. At its core is the empowerment of women—an essential catalyst for the nation's progress. PEL remains steadfast in its support for women's aspirations, fostering self-reliance and social equity through lending activities. Currently, women borrowers constitute 31% of the loan portfolio. To further accelerate women's development and empowerment in Tier II and III cities, the company has implemented a range of initiatives, including financial literacy programs and targeted loan disbursement efforts. Speaking on the launch, Ajay Piramal, Chairman, Piramal Enterprises Ltd., said, "At Piramal, our commitment lies in our sustainability strategy, anchored by four vital pillars: impactful growth, social stewardship, resilient technology, and governance excellence. Our primary goal is to create a positive impact through all our initiatives. We strive to build a lasting impact that resonates with both the current and future generations. Our fundamental purpose is to bring about substantial and quantifiable improvements in the lives of those we serve, guiding our every choice and endeavour. We will continue to actively collaborate with communities and governments to work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030." Piramal Capital and Housing Finance Limited (referred to as Piramal Finance) is making significant strides across various sectors, with 31% of its borrowers being women and approximately 22 lakh pages saved through efficient digital loan processing. The company has disbursed loans totalling ₹19,000 crores for affordable housing, serving 1,98,000 new customers. Additionally, Piramal Finance is actively contributing to social development, facilitating 9 Griha Utsavs across Bharat with 113 builders and providing 2,700+ individuals with financial literacy sessions. In terms of community engagement, Piramal Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Piramal Group. Aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals, the Foundation is committed to improving the lives of marginalized communities, by leveraging the power of youth and strengthening Government systems. With operations supported by 5,000+ employees, and spread across 27 States and 2 Union Territories, over the last 16 years, it has touched the lives of more than 11.3 crore Indians. One of the powerful demonstration of Piramal Foundation is The Karuna Fellowship programme, dedicated at fostering the next generation of Bharat through women-led development. Embracing the potential of Rural women, the Karuna Fellowship programme encourages aspiring women to embrace and develop their abilities by providing them with technology and other employable skills, e.g.-Leadership & livelihood skills. The program is designed to build cadre / network of financially independent, tech-savvy, future-ready and compassionate women who can constructively contribute to the country. Access the full report here: PEL Sustainability Report 2022 - 23 About Piramal Enterprises Ltd: Piramal Enterprises Ltd. (PEL) is a leading diversified Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) registered with Reserve Bank of India (RBI), with presence across retail lending, wholesale lending, and fund-based platforms. The company has investments and assets worth ~$10 billion, with a network of branches across 25 states/UTs. PEL has built a technology platform, which is driven by artificial intelligence (AI), with innovative financial solutions that cater to the needs of varied industry verticals. PEL has steered dynamic business growth over the three decades of its existence, staying focused on both organic as well as inorganic growth strategy. PEL made its foray into the financial services sector with Piramal Capital & Housing Finance Ltd., a housing finance company registered with the Reserve Bank of India that is engaged in various financial services businesses. The company provides end-to-end financing solutions in both wholesale and retail funding opportunities across sectors such as real estate and infrastructure, renewable energy, hospitality, logistics, industrials, and auto components. Within retail lending, through its multi-product platform, the Company offers home loans, loans for small businesses and loans for working capital to customers in affordable housing and mass affluent segments across tier I, II and III cities. Wholesale lending spans real estate and non-real estate sectors, offering a variety of products to diverse corporate clients. PEL has also formed strategic partnerships with leading financial institutions such as CPPIB, APG and Ivanhoe Cambridge (CDPQ) across various investment platforms. Piramal Alternatives, the fund management business, provides customised financing solutions to high-quality corporates through – 'Piramal Credit Fund', a performing, sector-agnostic Credit fund with capital commitment from CDPQ; and 'IndiaRF', a distressed asset investing platform with Bain Capital Credit, which invests in equity and/or debt across non-real estate sectors. The Company also has a 50% stake in Pramerica Life Insurance – a joint venture with Prudential International Insurance Holdings. For more information visit: www.piramal.com, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn For Media Queries:                                                                                                Rajiv BanerjeeGroup Head - Corporate Communications   rajiv.banerjee@piramal.com For Investors: Ravi SinghHead - Investor Relationssingh.ravi@piramal.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/piramal-enterprises-ltds-commitment-to-financial-inclusion-touches-1-27-lakh-women-borrowers-in-fy2023--302001642.html

The first Indian woman to win the WISE Prize for Education for her contribution to girls' education in rural India MUMBAI, India, Nov. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Safeena Husain, Founder, Educate Girls, has been awarded the prestigious WISE Prize for Education at the WISE 11 Summit (World Innovation Summit for Education). The WISE Prize for Education is the first global distinction of its kind that honours an individual for outstanding contribution to education. In a rapidly changing world, India is emerging as an innovator by harnessing technology for social impact. Educate Girls, led by Safeena Husain, exemplifies this innovative approach, employing AI to identify villages with high numbers of out-of-school girls. Equipped with this information, over 21,000 gender champions go door-to-door in the hardest-to-reach villages of India to identify these girls. Working in partnership with the government and communities, Educate Girls reintegrates them into the formal education system. Educate Girls has mobilised over 14 lakh girls for enrolment and supported over 19 lakh students with remedial learning since its inception through this comprehensive approach in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. Presented by the Qatar Foundation, the WISE Prize is a testament to Safeena's commitment to bridging the gender gap in education in India. Safeena shared her sentiments on this accolade, "I am honoured and humbled for this recognition. This is a collective win for all of us working towards girls' education, right from the government and local communities, to our dedicated gender champions and our valued supporters. Girls' education is the most powerful tool and a transformative force in solving the world's most complex problems. But most importantly it is her inherent right. At Educate Girls, we are steadfast in our commitment to contributing to this transformation." Safeena emphasises the synergy between human compassion and technological innovation as the powerhouse for transformative change, "AI can help us find the most vulnerable girls faster, and help us deliver quality education at scale however we must not forget that the human touch remains the indispensable element on the ground." One of Educate Girls' most notable achievements is pioneering the world's first Development Impact Bond (DIB) in education that ties funding to outcomes. With the WISE Prize, the organisation is well-poised for its next big goal of impacting 10 million adolescent girls and young women in 10 years. The focus extends beyond completion of education and connects girls and young women to further opportunities for employment and skilling. This commitment ensures that the future for girls in India is one of endless opportunities and dreams. About Educate Girls Educate Girls is a non-profit that focuses on mobilising communities for girls' education in India's rural and educationally backward areas. Working in partnership with the Government, Educate Girls currently operates successfully in over 24,000 villages of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar and has mobilised over 14 lakh girls for school enrolment, aligning with the 'Right to Education Act' and the Government's vision for better access to primary education. Learn more at www.EducateGirls.ngo | Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Instagram | YouTube For any media inquiries, please contact: media@educategirls.ngo About WISE Founded in 2009 by Qatar Foundation under the visionary leadership of its Chairperson, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, WISE (World Innovation Summit for Education) has evolved into an international, multi-sectoral platform dedicated to fostering innovation and evidence-based approaches in education. WISE 11, the summit's 11th edition, marks a significant milestone, emphasizing a new era of global educational transformation. Through its biennial summit, collaborative research, and a number of ongoing programs, WISE has become a global point of reference for new educational paradigms. To stay up to date, follow WISE on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and X. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2287091/Safeena_Husain_Educate_Girls.jpgLogo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1359275/4426416/Educate_Girls_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/safeena-husain-founder-of-educate-girls-honoured-with-the-wise-prize-for-education-301999328.html

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women Statement by Education Cannot Wait Executive Director Yasmine Sherif NEW YORK, Nov. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In the 21st century, we cannot tolerate the rape and abduction of girls and women, forced child marriage, and the continued denial of any human rights and equality to girls and women everywhere. We must take stronger action to end violence against girls and women through the UN 16 Days of Activism campaign – running from the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls (25 November) until Human Rights Day (10 December). We urge leaders everywhere to take firm, concrete action to put all the human rights of girls and women – especially their right to 12 years of safe, quality education – at the forefront of the international agenda. This year's theme is 'Invest to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls.' By investing in safe schools, protective learning environments, and mental health and psychosocial support – through holistic, quality education that empowers girls to be confident of their rights and have the power to claim them – we can truly empower an entire generation of future women leaders. Investing in girls' education also contributes towards achieving the binding commitments enshrined in the Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Sustainable Development Goals. We must act now. Every minute, 22 girls are forced into child marriage, and about 21% of girls worldwide are married before they turn 18. Now is the time to fully invest in the education of girls so they can become child scholars, not child brides. Globally, an estimated 736 million women – almost one in three – have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both, at least once in their life. It is time to be loud and clear that no woman or girl can be subjected to any violation of their dignity, rights, freedoms and their person. Now is the time to end reckless governance in the world that results in armed conflicts and flagrant violations of International Humanitarian Law. We must act collectively to ensure an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, where the humanitarian system is facing near total collapse with unimaginable consequences for more than 2.2 million civilians, including 788,800 girls and women who have been forcibly displaced from their homes.  We must be moved to action by their words: "I saw dead bodies lying on the street. My mom told me to close my eyes, but I couldn't. I was so scared," said an 11-year-old girl at an UNRWA school. We cannot close our eyes to armed conflicts or violations of human rights and humanitarian law anywhere in the world. We cannot close our eyes to the denial of human rights in Afghanistan, where girls are banned from attending secondary school and university because of their gender. We cannot close our eyes to insecurity and violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or any other country where girls are abducted, raped, killed in inter-ethnic clashes and denied their humanity. Just as the world can make war and oppress girls and women, we also have the same capacity to make peace and empower girls and women. The choice is ours. The choice we make as a human family will determine who we are and how far we have come as a human species. Meanwhile, we who have chosen human dignity and moral responsibility will continue to invest in the education and the unbreakable spirit of girls and women everywhere. Our investment in education is our investment in their courage, resilience, brilliance, strength and fortitude. For the sake of 8 billon members of humanity. But we can't do it alone. We are all in this together. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2283116/Education_Cannot_Wait.jpgLogo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1656121/Education_Cannot_Wait_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/end-violence-against-women-301995480.html

LONDON, Nov. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On International Women's Day 2023, Häagen-Dazs launched 'The Rose Project', a global initiative with a $100,000 (USD) bursary grant inviting nominations to recognise unsung trailblazing women in honour of the brand's unsung female co-founder Rose Mattus. Today, 23 November, on what would have been Rose Mattus' birthday, Häagen-Dazs celebrates her legacy with the announcement of the Top 50 #WomenWhoDontHoldBack nominees being shortlisted for their achievements and its five globally accomplished Häagen-Dazs Rose Project judges. Over 2,500 applications were received for The Häagen-Dazs Rose Project putting forward pioneering efforts and societal contributions made by women across the globe. From these, 50 talented and inspirational women have been shortlisted and will be put forward to win one of five monetary grants of $20,000 (USD), which will be announced on International Women's Day 2024, to continue their exceptional work, unleash their potential or give to a cause they are passionate about. The top 50 shortlist includes women from 17 countries hailing from across Europe, Asia, Africa & Middle East, Australia and the Americas. Every nominee's story can be found at https://iwd.haagen-dazs.global/en/. A stellar all-female judging panel from across the world has been handpicked for the final selection stage of The Häagen-Dazs Rose Project. Inspirational, passionate and representative of the global nature of the project and the brand, the judges will work together to select 5 worthy honourees from the Top 50 list, who have followed their own trajectory of significant trailblazing achievements and epitomise the Häagen-Dazs 'Don't Hold Back' ethos. The panel includes UK-based author, broadcaster and philanthropist Katie Piper, fashion entrepreneur and advocate for women's fertility issues, Velda Tan from Singapore, Spanish entrepreneur and creative director Inés Arroyo, community builder and founder of women's community network, Lady Multitask, Mercedes Palomar from Mexico with Häagen-Dazs Shops Global Managing Director Aurélie Lory from France representing the brand. Häagen-Dazs spokesperson Aurélie Lory said: "International Women's Day 2023 marked the launch of The Häagen-Dazs Rose Project to honour the legacy of our co-founder, Rose Mattus, and create a fund platform to provide opportunities to women across all fields around the world who are truly deserving of support and recognition. We were thrilled to receive thousands of nominations across countries and our #WomenWhoDontHoldBack Top 50 shortlist is a compelling and diverse mosaic of trailblazing female narratives that moved us and serve as an inspiration to women everywhere. For this final stage, we are equally privileged to call upon a remarkable judging panel of pioneering female thought leaders and culture shapers, who share our value, to select our 1st ever Rose Project honourees as part of this renewed commitment." Media Contact: Pria Manipria@capturecomms.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2280510/The_Haagen_Dazs_Rose_Project.jpgLogo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2280511/Haagen_Dazs_the_Rose_Project_logo.jpg       View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-haagen-dazs-rose-project-announces-top-50-womenwhodontholdback-nominees-alongside-its-global-female-judging-panel-301996192.html