On June 28th, the Women Research Network hosted a thought-provoking webinar that brought together public sector leaders and researchers to address the pressing question: Do we need a policy shift to advance the Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) agenda? This event, featuring an esteemed panel of speakers, offered a rich discussion on the current state of WEE and the steps needed to catalyze transformative change.
Key Highlights
The webinar provided a platform for insightful dialogue, showcasing perspectives from academia, government, and global development practitioners. The panel included:
- Wapula Raditloaneng: Expert in gender and development, emphasizing the importance of education and capacity-building for women.
- Sam Nwanja Tambe: Researcher with a focus on policy analysis and its implications for women’s economic inclusion.
- Hon. Fatou Kinteh: The Honourable Minister for Gender, Women and Social Welfare (The Gambia), who provided a compelling overview of policy challenges and successes in advancing WEE in The Gambia.
A Global Perspective on WEE
The discussions emphasized the urgency of addressing systemic barriers that hinder women’s economic empowerment globally, with particular focus on:
- Policy Gaps: Panelists identified the need for gender-sensitive policies that move beyond rhetoric to actionable solutions, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
- Intersectionality in WEE: Speakers highlighted how intersectional challenges such as poverty, education, and access to finance disproportionately affect women.
- Digital Inclusion: With the increasing importance of the digital economy, ensuring women’s access to digital tools and literacy was underscored as vital.
Hon. Fatou Kinteh shared The Gambia’s journey in prioritizing gender and social welfare, pointing to ongoing initiatives that could serve as models for other nations. She also stressed the importance of political will in ensuring the success of such initiatives.
A Call for Policy Shifts
The overarching theme of the event was clear: to truly advance WEE, a fundamental shift in policy is needed. This includes:
- Integrating WEE into National Development Plans: Ensuring that WEE is not treated as a standalone issue but as a critical pillar of economic development.
- Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships: Creating synergies between government, private sector, and NGOs to provide holistic support for women entrepreneurs.
- Monitoring and Accountability: Establishing frameworks to measure the impact of WEE policies and holding stakeholders accountable for their implementation.
Audience Engagement
The event saw robust participation from attendees worldwide, who engaged actively with the panel through a lively Q&A session. Questions ranged from strategies for overcoming cultural barriers to the role of grassroots movements in driving policy changes.
Looking Ahead
As we reflect on this impactful event, it’s clear that advancing WEE requires a collective effort from all sectors of society. The Women Research Network remains committed to fostering these critical conversations and driving action through research, advocacy, and collaboration.
We extend our deepest gratitude to our speakers, participants, and partners for making this webinar a resounding success. Together, we can build a more inclusive and equitable future for women around the world.
Stay tuned for future events and initiatives from the Women Research Network as we continue to champion the WEE agenda!
