Breaking Barriers for Women and Girls at CID’s 2024 Global Empowerment Meeting

Inspiring Dialogue and Ideating Solutions

Khwaja and Bohnet kicked off the second day of GEM24 by providing the morning’s opening remarks after an opening video which emphasized the urgency around the issue of supporting gender equality in developing countries.

Khwaja highlighted the unique nature of the conference’s interactive Incubation Rooms, which provide attendees with the opportunity to develop early-stage ideas within small groups. Khwaja underscored the importance of collaboration in the field of international development, identifying the need for all global regions to come together “intellectually and financially with the will for change.” 

Khwaja also announced the launch of the 2024 GEM Incubation Fund which is now open for applications  to support innovative research in the field of gender equity in developing countries.

Bohnet followed with a reflection on the power of evidence-backed narratives. She shared four powerful stories from across the world, emphasizing the role of public policy, organizational procedures, social norms, and agency in shaping approaches to gender and equality.

Panel One: Innovative Interventions in Advancing Gender Equity

The first panel explored examples of successful and innovative interventions aimed at empowering women and girls. Moderated by GBH Features Editor, Jennifer Moore, the panel featured a diverse group of speakers from government, academia, philanthropy, and the non-profit sector.

Claudia López Hernández, Former Mayor of Bogota, Colombia, emphasized the necessity of supporting women with comprehensive care services to alleviate overworking and restore opportunities. She discussed the vitality of care services for urban well-being and described her administration’s success in establishing care blocks.

Gary Barker, President and CEO of Equimundo, reflected on the importance of engaging men in conversations on advancing gender equality, ending violence against women, and changing social norms.

Latanya Mapp, President and CEO of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, highlighted the need to uplift grassroots leaders and foster partnerships for sustainable change. She emphasized the importance of a bottom-up approach to address systemic issues, asserting that supporting these leaders is as crucial as implementing policies and laws.

Eliana La Ferrara, Professor of Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School, underscored the role of early education in fostering gender equality and solidarity. She emphasized the imperative of instilling values of social good and solidarity from a young age, irrespective of gender.

Watch the recording of the panel discussion.

Fireside Chat: The Politics of Centering Women and Girls in Policy and Practice

In the morning’s fireside chat discussion, Amna Nawaz, Co-Anchor of PBS NewsHour, moderated a conversation between two former leaders from West Africa and the Middle East.

Former Prime Minister of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, Mr. Patrick Achi, and Former Prime Minister of Jordan, Dr. Omar Razzaz, shared insights into their experiences navigating the realms of politics and policy advocacy for women and girls.

Achi emphasized the pivotal role of women in governance and the need for their inclusion at all levels of decision-making. He described the significance of women in shaping the political landscape of Côte d’Ivoire and positioned their involvement as crucial for future progress.

Razzaz echoed these sentiments, advocating for a global approach to combat rising autocracy and safeguard women’s rights. He championed collaborative efforts in implementing impactful policies such as maternity leave, emphasizing the collective contribution of both men and women in driving positive change.

Watch the recording of the discussion.