The Gender Dividend

Moderator:  Ms. Madeleine Mukamabano, Former Editor-in-Chief, RFI Afrique  

Opening Remarks:   Dr. Donald Kaberuka, President, African Development Bank

Panelists:

• Hon. Gasinzigwa Oda, Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, Rwanda
• Hon. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Nigeria
• S. E. M. Adji Oteth Ayassor, Minister of the Economy, Finance and Privatization, Togo
• Mme. Cristina Duarte, Ministro das Financas e Administracao Publica, Capo Verdo
• Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN-WOMEN
• Mr. James Mwangi, Chief Executive Officer, Equity Bank, Kenya
• Ms. Fatima Harrak, Présidente, Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA), Sénégal

Rapporteur:  Ms. Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, Special Envoy on Gender, AfDB

Description:

There is strong business case for gender equality: Societies lag behind when half of their citizens cannot live to their full potential. Development and economic growth is slower when half of the continent’s citizens do not have access to productive resources and capabilities. Leadership is not complete when half of those who would-be leaders lack a voice. In a nutshell, gender equality generates stronger business and development results. Indeed, harnessing the full potential of women in business is a key driver of growth. This is what we need today for the Africa we want in 50 years. This side event will provide an opportunity to discuss and propose innovative and practical solutions to unlocking the productive resources for gender equality and women’s empowerment and provide a forum for sharing best practices and innovative solutions in ensuring women’s access to the productive resources that lead to gender equality and women’s empowerment, namely land and financing in Africa.