Feb 25 @ 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the WE EMPOWER programme of the European Union, UN Women and the International Labour Organization, and the Economic Club of Canada, seek to co-host a special G7 multi-stakeholder dialogue (roundtable and panel session) on women’s entrepreneurship, innovation and the future economy.
Since 1995, we have made great strides1 towards equality between men and women. Despite bold commitments by Member States during the Beijing Platform for Action there is still much progress to be made. Progress has been compounded by the wave of technological advances that have occurred since 1995. Advances in technology radically transformed the 21st century global economy and women’s economic empowerment. With the Fourth Industrial Revolution2 upon us, it is increasingly urgent to make gender equality and women’s economic empowerment a reality. This panel session will explore the opportunities and challenges for women entrepreneurs in the 21st century economy.
OBJECTIVES
With the goal of exploring the state of women’s economic empowerment and gender equality in G7 countries since the Beijing Declaration in 1995, the discussions will specifically focus on the role of innovation and entrepreneurship in the future economy and the opportunity to strengthen women’s economic empowerment.
The discussions will:
- Highlight the role of innovation and entrepreneurship in the future economy and the resulting challenges and opportunities for women
- Identify best practices in the public and private sectors to support women entrepreneurs in the 21st century economy
- Showcase success stories of women entrepreneurs
The discussion will focus on the following questions:
- What national or regional programs or policies are in place to increase the number of women entrepreneurs? Which of these are most successful? Why?
- What additional supports can be offered to women entrepreneurs to grow and scale their businesses?
- What is the role of women in the future economy? Are there new opportunities available to women entrepreneurs in the 21st century?
- What role has technology played in empowering women entrepreneurs?
- What policies, laws or regulations have been enacted since the Beijing Conference to increase women’s participation in the economy? Have these policies, laws or regulations helped to increase women’s participation in the economy?