W20 Summit: Women Empowerment and Gender Equality Will Promote Post-Coronavirus Economic Recovery
The Women 20 (W20) Summit commenced on Wednesday, October 21 2020 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and will set a precedent of how the economy will recover with women at the center of the solution
The summit’s main message was that women empowerment and gender equality is the solution to regaining the economy’s strength from the coronavirus pandemic.
“Saudi Arabia strongly believes that a sound economic recovery, to overcome the impacts of the current pandemic, cannot be achieved without comprehensive, social and, economic programs for women to achieve gender equality and create economic opportunities,” Majid bin Abdullah Al Qasabi, Minister of Commerce and Investment and acting Minister of Media of Saudi Arabia said during his opening address at W20.
“As the G20 leaders begin to convene for the summit in November, the current economic crisis lies at the forefront of our minds,” Thoraya Obaid, W20 chair said.
“It serves as a solemn reminder that the economic inclusion of women is now more important and urgent than ever,” she added.
Both of the speakers also recognized the impact the pandemic has had on women worldwide.
“It is worth mentioning that women play a crucial role in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic by working in the front lines,” Majid bin Abdullah Al Qasabi said.
“Some preliminary reports indicate that women have been more affected by the economic implications of the pandemic, compared to men, given that a high percentage of women work in sectors that are still suspended such as tourism, air transport, sales and others,” he also said.
Issues related to women’s recovery from the global pandemic was the focal point of the W20 which Thoraya presented to Majid bin Abdullah Al Qasabi at the commencement of the ceremony.
“This year’s W20 communiqué addressed both the long-standing inequalities which have limited women’s empowerment to date as well as the newly exposed and exacerbated trends that we see today and that threaten our progress towards equality,” Thoraya said.
The W20 summit proposes actionable policy changes in order to have more gender equality and women’s empowerment in the global economy.
“Together we should ask ourselves if not now, then when? If not this year which has exposed the heart-breaking fissures in our cultures, policies, programs and public services then when? If not now as the whole world is faced with the uphill climb of economic recovery then when?” she asked.
Follow and use the hashtag #ifnotthenwhen for this year’s W20 Summit to be part of the conversation.
Images supplied.