in Geneva 1211
25 October 2018
WOMEN FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
14:30-17:00 Room XXIV
Women’s economic empowerment has been identified as a key means for development and attaining the SDGs. Investment by MNEs can be a powerful tool to empower women, particularly in labour intensive, largely export-oriented industries and services. In many developing countries, MNEs have enabled women to enter the formal labour market for the first time – within their own companies or linked companies – through business opportunities generated in local, regional or global supply chains. At the same time, MNE investment poses several risks, as it can increase gender inequality and undermine work-life balance. Enhancing benefits of MNE investment for women’s economic empowerment requires grassroots action, a change in corporate strategies, inclusive government policies and a societal mind shift. Organized with UN Women, the Commonwealth and the Francophonie, this high-level meeting will weigh these issues and formulate new strategies for the public and private sector.
Issues for the debate:
- Are MNEs agents of change for women economic empowerment?
- How to empower a new generation of women in business leaders to act as feeders of sustainable development?
- What are the key policy considerations to mainstream women economic empowerment in investment and entrepreneurship policies?
Empretec Women in Business Awards 2018
18:00 Assembly Hall
Organized together with UN Women and the Commonwealth Women Business Forum, the Empretec Women in Business Award are granted to women-owned businesses that have benefited from the business development services of the Empretec programme – a pioneering UNCTAD programme for the promotion of entrepreneurship that operates in 40 developing countries. In line with this year's World Investment Forum theme, the Award will focus on the crucial role of women entrepreneurship in advancing the SDGs. The awards presentation will give women entrepreneurs the stage to share how they contribute to sustainable development in different sectors.
26 October 2018
WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND THE SDGS
10:00 - 13:00 Room XXIV
This interactive session, organized in collaboration with UN Women, shares views on policies and good practices to develop an effective ecosystem to support women entrepreneurship, which is an essential part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Experts will review the initiatives taken by the G7 and the G20 aimed to support women and girls to harness digitalization and reinforcing efforts to reduce the gender gap in participation by 25% by 2025. The discussion will aide policy formulation and implementation to embed women entrepreneurship as one of the key ways to promote sustainable and inclusive growth.
Issues for the debate:
- The “eSkills4Girls” initiative
- The “Women’ Entrepreneurship Facility”
- Good practices in “bridging the digital gender divide”
- The activities of the G20 “Women’s Business Council”