The G20 EMPOWER meeting 2023 held in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. On 5th and 6th April 2023 focused on creating a G20 partnership for actions promoting women-led development. The meeting’s outcomes centered around women’s entrepreneurship, education, and leadership. Intended to direct actions for private sector commitments and government policies. Here are some of the key proposals that emerged from the meeting:
Working Groups Established for Women’s Empowerment (G20 EMPOWER Meeting 2023)
To achieve its objectives, the meeting established five working groups to discuss financial inclusion and business acceleration. Mentorship, STEM, corporate women empowerment, and digital inclusion. The working groups developed recommendations for private sector commitments and suggested actions for governments to take, which will direct women-led development.
Mentorship Platform for Women’s Leadership (G20 EMPOWER Meeting 2023)
During the meeting, the participants proposed a Mentorship Platform to promote women’s leadership at all levels. Furthermore, this platform will facilitate structured knowledge-exchange among women mentees and mentors of G20 nations. Additionally, it will also serve as an aggregator of existing subject-specific mentorship portals targeting areas such as STEM, business leadership, and entrepreneurship.
Digital Inclusion Platform for Upskilling Women
The meeting also discussed a Digital Inclusion Platform as an education and upskilling portal for women to gain digital, technical, and financial knowledge. That will be crucial for future jobs and entrepreneurship. Although, this platform will be available in over 120 international and Indian languages and serve as an aggregator of global content and courses in the aforementioned areas.
Barriers Faced by Women Entrepreneurs
Moreover, the meeting proposed impactful recommendations to address the barriers faced by women entrepreneurs around the availability of credit and market access. The participants emphasized sustainable gender-inclusive financial models and encouraged gender-responsive procurement in government and the private sector.
Women’s Participation in Decision-making (G20 EMPOWER Meeting 2023)
However, the participants recognized that women’s participation and representation in decision-making processes at all levels is critical for the prioritization of women’s differential needs and issues in governance and for localizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The G20 EMPOWER proposals aim to fill the gaps in skilling, reskilling, and upskilling women at all levels, including at the grassroots through online platforms, public-private participations, and initiatives for lifelong learning and digital fluency for women and girls, especially in scientific and non-traditional sectors.
Promoting Skills, Upskilling and Lifelong Learning
During the meeting, the G20 EMPOWER proposals aim to fill the gaps in skilling, reskilling, and upskilling women at all levels. Including at the grassroots through online platforms, public-private partnerships, and initiatives. Hence, for lifelong learning and digital fluency in scientific and non-traditional sectors. Accelerating Women-led Development.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the G20 EMPOWER proposals aim to accelerate the creation of a world where women have the necessary skills. Access to resources, supportive infrastructure and environment. Mentorship for a transformational shift towards women-led development. The proposals aim to bridge the gaps in skills and resources for women and promote women’s representation in decision-making processes.
