Women's Economic Empowerment

This discussion is about women's economic empowerment with a focus on the Pacific region. Panelists include Amy Luinstra, Senior Gender Specialist at the International Finance Corporation who has been involved with the recently established Business Coalition for Women in Papua New Guinea -- the first organisation of its kind in the Pacific; Joanne Crawford, Research and Policy Adviser at the International Women's Development Agency (IWDA) and; Amanda Donigi, Founder and Editor of Stella Magazine in Papua New Guinea.

Globally women earn less than men and are less likely to be employed: they are only half as likely to be in full time jobs and when they are, their incomes are on average 10-30 percent lower. Meanwhile the latest Grant Thornton International Business Report indicates that the share of women in senior management roles, worldwide, is only 24 percent.

Our region, the Pacific, has the world's lowest rate of female political representation. While women are becoming increasingly better educated, they continue to lack access to land, finance and jobs, and much of their work, in the home and on their land, is overwhelmingly undervalued.

Promoting women's economic empowerment, as entrepreneurs, employees, and leaders is increasingly seen as one of the most important drivers of the fight against poverty.

But what can be done to promote women's leadership in the workplace? What works in addressing gender gaps in employment - and what are the roles of governments, businesses, and civil society in making this happen?

Recorded: Friday 20 June

Moderator: Auskar Surbakti, Journalist