Maryland Smith Women Inspire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiGpOQrd01s Women Inspire will showcase Maryland Smith’s fearless alumnae leaders excelling in business. This annual event will celebrate female empowerment that inspires attendees and challenges them to realize and reach their full potential. The [...]
TEDx SantaBarbara
The imperative to foster global gender economic equity. “Women’s economic empowerment is not just a moral imperative, it is an economic no-brainer.” Women make significant contributions to economic growth, wealth creation, innovation, employment, and human capital. [...]
Fall 2021 Smith Business Magazine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J44BUNnYWS4
Leadership California’s 30th Anniversary Speaker Series “Leading with Purpose and Resiliency”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0ZpJkLWKuY
May 2021 Global Solutions Summit
Global Solutions Summit 2021, Plenary Panel: Women’s Economic Empowerment and the SDGs: COVID-19 and Beyond – Building Back Better
March 2021 Women Know Global: Closing the Gender Gap in the Global Economy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huIscTtaxa8&t=26s
Friends of Europe Strategic Conversation with Margo Thomas and Nahla Valji – A gender-focused post-pandemic recovery
Expected by some to be the ‘great leveller’, the COVID-19 crisis has ultimately laid bare the world’s persistent inequalities. Particularly obvious have been the ways in which different genders have experienced the pandemic. Instances [...]
Global Solutions Summit: The Social and Economic Implications of the Covid 19 Pandemic and Beyond
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocmjzfk57vg In this final decade for realizing the Sustainable Development Goals and in light of the yet unfolding economic and social impacts of the pandemic, it essential to take a multi-disciplinary and inclusive approach [...]
Global Solutions Summit: Gender Economic Equity and the SDG 2030 Agenda: Implications of the Covid-19 Pandemic and Beyond
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qT1JHXJZ1o
Women’s Economic Empowerment: Opportunities and Challenges for Equity, Inclusive Growth, and Sustainability
The conference in Edinburgh, Scotland brought together thought leaders from every continent representing civil society, the private sector, public sector, and academia. As a group, they shared knowledge and engaged participants in active dialog and [...]
Speaking at the Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) 2019 Conference
SPACE – exploring new frontiers and entrepreneurial places Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK "The ISBE conference is a catalyst for igniting a new type of innovative and dynamic entrepreneurial leadership necessary for unlocking entrepreneurial ambitions across businesses, support [...]
Think 20 Summit 2019
Tokyo, Japan Dr. Thomas moderated and led a spirited discussion on Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) and its importance for the achievement of the SDGs based on the 2019 policy briefs on gender in the changing [...]
Chatham House Gender and Growth Policy Forum 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8ykF3HCW98 In Conversation with Simona Scarpaleggia, CEO IKEA Switzerland: Innovative Business Models and Partnerships
2019 Think-20 Task Force on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: Women’s Economic Empowerment (SDG5)
Under the 2019 Japanese Presidency of the G20, the Think 20 (T20) Engagement Group carried forward the work on women’s economic empowerment (WEE) through the Task Force on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Once again, I had the privilege of serving as Co-Chair on women’s economic empowerment (SDG5) along with Gala Díaz Langou, Social Protection Program Director with the Center for the Implementation of Public Policies Promoting Equity and Growth (CIPPEC). We worked closely with the Women 20 (W20) Engagement Group under the leadership of Professor Yoriko Meguro and Haruno Yoshida.
Women Who Inspire: Shirley Pryce
Shirley Pryce, Founder of the Jamaica Household Workers Association, is a true testament of what resilience, courage and hard-work can yield. She did not allow her circumstances to determine her destiny, rather she used it as an opportunity to transform the lives of other women in similar situations.
Global Solutions Summit 2019
T20 Global Solutions Summit Berlin, Germany Following Chancellor Merkel’s speech and interview session, Dr. Thomas, co-chair of the 2018 Think 20 Task Force on gender economic equity, moderated the plenary session “Promoting women’s economic empowerment; [...]
Women Empowering Africa at the Business for Africa Forum
Margo Thomas: Implementing a Pro-Women Policy Agenda. Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt As Egypt looks took over the chair of the African Union in 2019, the Africa 2018 Forum was organized to promote greater economic integration [...]
2018 Think-20 Task Force on Gender Economic Equity: From Inception to Summit
As the 2018 Argentine Presidency of the G20 draws to a close, this post looks back at some of the highlights from the work of the 2018 Think-20 Engagement Group’s Task Force on Gender Economic Equity (GEE). There has been significant convergence on key focus areas and recommendations for action on gender economic equity across the G7-G20 and the relevant engagement groups including the T20 and W20.
Women’s Economic Imperative at the 2018 T20 Buenos Aires Summit
Women’s Economic Imperative (WEI) was well-represented and contributed substantively during the T20 Summit in Argentina!
CONVERSATION WITH MARGO THOMAS – St. Aidan’s College, Durham University (Durham, United Kingdom – November 2018)
My presentation on ‘Women’s Economic Empowerment and The Costs of Inequity’ was hosted and co-sponsored by Dr. Susan Frenk, Principal of St Aidan’s College at Durham University in partnership with Societal Innovation and Enterprise Forum, (SIEF) Durham [...]
COMMONWEALTH HEADS OF GOVERNMENT MEETING – WOMEN’S FORUM (London, United Kingdom – April 16-18, 2018)
The 2018 Women's Forum reflected on some of the global challenges still faced by women, as part of a wider commitment to "leave no one behind" in the Commonwealth journey to achieving gender equality by [...]
Venture Fest
Innovation SuperNetwork, North-East England Newcastle, UK Dr. Margo Thomas was a featured speaker at the 2018 NE-UK VentureFest. Her talk was titled: Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Women’s Economic Empowerment and the Costs of Inequity
One Scotland – Provocation Piece: The Time for Gender Economic Equity is Now!
One Scotland - Provocation Piece: The Time for Gender Economic Equity is Now! “Globally, over 2.7 billion women are legally restricted from having the same choice of jobs as men.”[1] In January 2018, the World [...]
Chatham House International Policy Forum
No Going Back: Making Gender Equality Happen London, UK At the beginning of their presidencies in December 2017, Canada (G7) and Argentina (G20) both announced a cross-cutting gender approach to their respective agendas. Margo Thomas [...]
T20-W20-G7 Consultation on Gender Economic Equity
In her introductory remarks, Margo Thomas (moderator) recognized that given the 2018 priorities, the objectives and areas of focus intersect substantially starting with the recognition that gender equality benefits all of society. Moreover, since women [...]
Women Who Inspire Me – February 2018
Nani Noverita is one of the women who have inspired me to establish the Women’s Economic Imperative (WEI) with the goal of developing a platform to support women’s entrepreneurship in non-traditional sectors.
The Work of the Think20 Task Force on Gender Economic Equity Begins
The Work of the Think20 Task Force on Gender Economic Equity has begun in Argentina, with the Think 20 Inception Workshop in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I am honored to co-chair this Task Force with Gala Díaz Langou, Director of Social Programs, CIPPEC.
2017 Blog Published by Karen Finlayson
Many people impress us with their flamboyant approach to life, using a force of energy or well-rehearsed presentation skills to make us sit up and listen. Few people manage to attract the same attention with [...]
Taking Forward the Women’s Economic Empowerment Agenda: Wilton Park, 2017
On 29 November 2017, the Women’s Economic Imperative (WEI) launched its collaboration with Wilton Park and AllAfrica as part of the Women’s Entrepreneurship activities in the United Kingdom with an action-oriented Forum on Taking Forward the Women’s Economic Empowerment Agenda. The Forum was held (29 November – 1 December, 2017) at Wiston House in West Sussex, England.
Women Who Inspire Me – July 2017
Kudos to the founder - Carol Cooke, and women entrepreneurs engaged in the Barefoot in Business initiative – taking the work of the UNSG High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment forward! This [...]
Smart and Fair: Recognizing Women’s Role in Our Economic Future
In July 2017, I participated in the very lively debates and discussions during the Chatham House International Policy Forum. This Forum brought together a diverse group of participants for a constructive dialogue to explore innovative gender-inclusive [...]
UAE Gender Balance Council launched its “Global Gender Circle” Initiative to Coincide with HLP Second Report during CSW61
In March 2017, the UAE Gender Balance Council launched the Global Gender Circle initiative to reduce the gender gap in for women as economic actors; recommend innovative initiatives to support global gender equality and [...]
Empowering Women Through Procurement: Moving Beyond the 1%
UN Development Business Panel Discussion featuring Panel Member – Elizabeth Vazquez & Chief of the Panel's Secretariat – Dr. Margo Thomas. In contributing to the panel discussion on opportunities for empowering women entrepreneurs in [...]
Women Who Inspire Me – April 2017
In 2014, I traveled to Burundi to work on a project related to the privatization of coffee washing stations with the specific task of adding a gender lens to the process. I had the [...]
Joining the Movement on Women’s Economic Empowerment
On September 22, 2016, during the launch of the first Report of the United Nation’s Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment, Christine Lagarde – Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund noted that [...]
College of Europe – Natolin Poland
Engaging the next generation of thought leaders and policy makers. Graduate program seminar on Competitiveness, Economic Growth and Women’s Economic Empowerment in the European Union neighborhood countries.
Taking Action for Transformative Change on Women’s Economic Empowerment
In January 2016, the United Nations Secretary-General announced the establishment of a High-Level Panel on women’s economic empowerment. Its mission is to lead the charge on closing the economic gender gap, placing the economic [...]
Policy Makers Convene to Promote Reform
The Western Balkans Regional Network of policymakers was established in 2007 to share knowledge, effect policy change, and promote business environment reforms to enhance regional and national competitiveness. The Network provided a forum for [...]
UNSG’s HLP on Women’s Economic Empowerment Panel Meeting
16 March 2017: The UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel (HLP) on Women’s Economic Empowerment presented its second report to the UN Secretary-General, recommending actions to accelerate progress towards the full and equal economic participation [...]
Closing the Economic Gender Gap Will Take 170 Years at The Current Pace
The World Economic Forum (WEF) 2016 Gender Gap report estimates that it will take 170 years to close the global economic gender gap. This is too long. The time for action on economic gender [...]
Provocation Piece: Enterprise
Throughout her career spanning more than two decades as a senior official at the world’s premier development organization – the World Bank Group, Margo Thomas, PhD has provided policy advice to over 50 national and sub-national governments. With a Doctoral Degree in Public Policy and Private Sector Development, her areas of focus include trade and competitiveness, women’s economic empowerment, business environment reform, regulatory reform, and investment policy. In April 2017, Dr. Thomas successfully completed her appointment as the Chief of Secretariat for the United Nations Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment. In her ongoing role as Founder and CEO of Women’s Economic Imperative, Dr. Thomas serves as a catalyst for initiatives aimed at increasing opportunities for the economic empowerment of disadvantaged and under-represented groups globally.
PMI Global Diversity & Inclusion Forum “ACT”
The key objective of the biennial Philipp Morris International Diversity and Inclusion Fora is to foster and inspire greater understanding, commitment, and action to Diversity & Inclusion throughout the Company. The aim is to [...]
Women Working Together Towards Business Growth
It’s not a surprise that when women work together, they achieve remarkable results. Women understand other women’s paths balancing personal and professional life, accessing resources, challenging traditional norms, and fighting to push more women into leadership positions.
Rencontre avec Moise Ntigirinzigo, fondateur de l’ONG IPSDI au Burundi
WEI (Women’s Economic Imperative) est fier de s’associer à W4 (Women’s WorldWide Web) pour soutenir les jeunes femmes du Burundi, les aidant à s’assurer des emplois sûrs et décents dans le secteur formel et à développer éventuellement leurs propres entreprises agro-alimentaires favorisant la sécurité alimentaire au sein de leurs communautés.
What can be done to economically empower women in Africa?
NOTE: This article was originally published on the World Economic Forum. Women have long suffered stigmatization and marginalization globally. The number of women who still face challenges in reaching their full potential due to an [...]
Youth Impact: Unleashing the Power of Youth to Deliver on Global Goals
"I learned a lot about the challenges I might face when fighting for social change at a young age, and I was inspired by these stories of young people striving for and achieving change despite many obstacles."
Interview with WEI Champion Yanire Brana
"My experience showed me that, even in countries like Spain, France or Belgium, it’s very difficult for women in the middle term of their career to pursue having children and a family while also nurturing their professional growth. My observations motivated me to create something to help professional women. "
Fostering Women-led businesses in non-traditional sectors in Peru
An innovative project launched by the British Embassy in Lima seeks to encourage more women to establish and grow businesses in non-traditional sectors, including the extractive industries (oil and mining), STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) sectors, environment, agroindustry, construction and financial services.
WEI interviews Nino Zambakhidze, Chairwoman of the Georgian Farmers’ Association
The WEI editorial team had the pleasure of interviewing Nino Zambakhidze, Chairwoman of the Georgian Farmers’ Association & WEI Champion about her work to promote women’s entrepreneurship & economic empowerment in Georgia.
62nd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women: a call to the international community to empower rural women & girls
Recent movements such as #MeToo and #NiUnaMenos have sparked outrage and given rise to global conversations, shifting traditional views about gender and equality. We need to continue moving the agenda forward, to create synergies between diverse actors and tackle the deeply-rooted factors that currently impede women’s empowerment.
WEI Champion Spotlight: WEI Board Member – William Reese
I’ve spent the last 49 years working in international cooperation. I worked 10 years in the PeaceCorps: 8 of them in Brazil and 2 of them back in Washington DC. I started out as an urban development PeaceCorps volunteer and then worked 7 years with their staff running different parts of the Brazil Program. Eventually I came back to Washington after serving as the Country Director for Brazil and did a couple years at the PeaceCorps Headquarters. Initially I had wanted to be a Foreign Service officer, but decided I was more interested in development rather than diplomacy.
Young Global Changemaker: Stephanie Trpkov
German Chancellor Angela Merkel was among the many notable speakers at the 2019 Global Solutions Summit in Berlin. Following her thought-provoking speech emphasizing the need for multilateralism and international cooperation in the years to come, was a Q&A period with questions from both a moderator and individuals from the audience.
WEI Champion Spotlight: Ashaba Faridah
Before I pursued a diploma in flight operations and management, I didn’t even know we had pilot training in Uganda. Choosing a career as a pilot is not very common, so despite having dreamed of flying in planes as a child, I didn’t think it was one that would come true. However, while I was still in school I attended an orientation where I was able to go and see people actually flying. This one plane came and landed, and out walked a woman! Seeing her felt so empowering that it reignited my love for flying, and afterwards I knew I had to do everything I could to be a pilot.
WEI Champion Spotlight: Hyasintha Ntuyeko
This week WEI editorial team interviewed Hyasintha Ntuyeko - founder of Kasole Secrets – and got to hear her speak about her work in breaking the silence around women’s menstrual health in Tanzania.
WEI Champion Spotlight: Stephanie Trpkov
I am a business strategist who has worked in management consulting in the SEE region for over a dozen years. I am currently a strategy consultant with the World Bank in the Energy and Extractives Global Practice, and also serving as an adviser to the European Commission on digitization and adaptation of future strategies in targeted sectors of the economy. I mentor companies in the technology park and CleanTech accelerator in Croatia, developing strong business models, securing funding, and generally providing access to the kind of expert advice they can’t really afford in the early stages.
The Long Game
Over an illustrious 30-year career, consultant, author and acclaimed speaker Dinah Bennett has worked with people and organisations all over the world to gain insights into enterprise and entrepreneurship.
Why We’re Not Celebrating International Women’s Day
So, here’s our challenge to you – what can you do to ensure that the awareness raised as well as the interest and motivation generated on International Women’s Day turn into daily actions throughout the year?
Engaging Religious & Traditional Leaders Is Crucial If We Are To Achieve SDG5 By 2030
As the world celebrates this year’s International Women’s Day -- whose theme is “Think equal, build smart, innovate for change” -- all stakeholders must resolve to work to find innovative ways to engage more men and young boys in the push to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.