Africa International Trade & Commerce Research’s Post

"Gender Equality and Innovation, the Keys to Sustainable Trade"🔑 🤝 Organized jointly by the WTO, UN Women and the WTO Gender Research Hub 🗓 24-27 June 2025 Technology and science are driving forces shaping the global economy. Therefore, digital inclusion and innovation play important roles for women’s economic empowerment, giving them new opportunities in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). However, worldwide, women represent only 35% of STEM students and merely 3% of students in information and communication technology, indicating gender gaps in technology literacy, access and use. Also, rural women continue to be excluded from the benefits of innovation and the digital economy. Within this global context and under the theme “Gender Equality and Innovation, the Keys to Sustainable Trade”, the 2025 World Trade Congress on Gender intends to pioneer research on how gender equality, innovation and trade interconnect. In particular, the Congress will deepen the understanding of how women’s empowerment can help countries promote innovation and how trade can contribute to this. 📲 Details: https://cutt.ly/zeopgdU8

"On this International Women's Day, I unite to celebrate the remarkable achievements of women worldwide and reaffirm my commitment to champion the cause of women development. This year's theme, 'Invest in Women,' is a call to action for everyone. There are several ways we can invest in women at our individual level. *Encourage women's education, education breaks the cycle of poverty *Take a stand against gender based violence; report such cases before it gets out of control *Amplify women's voices, listen to their stories, use your platforms to amplify and support *Provide mentorship support, inspire the women around you to bring out their potentials *support women's business *encourage women's leadership aspirations To add to this, collectively, we can advocate for policies that are gender responsive. By investing in women, we not only promote gender equality but also drive economic prosperity and social progress. To our dear Akwa Ibom State Government Nigeria Breaking News Today lets prioritize women's education, health, economic empowerment, and leadership opportunities, creating inclusive environments where they can thrive and contribute meaningfully to society. Together, let's leverage the power of investing in women to create a future where every woman has the chance to succeed, and where gender equality is not just an aspiration but a lived reality. Happy International Women's Day!"

This year's United Nations IWD theme is 'Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress' which focuses on the important role of investing in women to drive positive change. Today we unite to celebrate the remarkable triumphs of women, and focus on supporting future female success across all industries, communities, and generations. Advocating for gender equality is a key step to empowering women to make an even greater impact on the world. At the current rate of progress, it will take 131 years to reach full gender parity. This needs to change. From activists to CEOs, here are some inspiring women to watch worldwide in 2024 and beyond:

🌟 Celebrating International Women's Day Today, March 8, we proudly join the global community in honouring International Women's Day. This year's theme, "Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress." resonates deeply with our values and mission at ITeC. We believe that women's economic empowerment is not just a goal but a fundamental pillar of a gender-equal society. When women are given equal opportunities to earn, learn, and lead, the ripple effects are felt across entire communities, driving progress and prosperity for all. At ITeC, we are committed to fostering an environment of inclusivity and support where women feel empowered to pursue their dreams and ambitions. Our goal is to create a level playing field where every individual, regardless of gender, can thrive and succeed. Over the past year, we've witnessed a significant increase in enrolments from female identifying students across our accredited courses in Construction Pathways, Screen and Media, and Leadership and Management. This surge is a testament to the power of providing equal opportunities and creating an environment where women can excel and lead. On this International Women's Day, let's reaffirm our commitment to investing in women, empowering them to unleash their full potential, and accelerating progress towards a more inclusive and equitable future for all. Together, let's continue to champion gender equality and celebrate the invaluable contributions of women in shaping our world. #IWD2024 #CountHerIn #InvestInWomen #IWD #inspireinclusion #AccelerateProgress 🚀✨ For more information on International Women's Day visit https://lnkd.in/gcxZP5A

🌍✊ International Women's Rights Day: Which strategies to improve the situation at scale? ✊🌍 As we commemorate International Women's Rights Day, I paused and found myself reflecting on the strategies to fight for gender equality. I wondered about the parallels between the roots and strategies to fight for gender equality and the ones to fight against climate change... 🤔 Aren't both causes victims of exploitative systems? 👑 Aren't both causes about reshaping societal norms and values? 🤝 Aren't both causes standard human rights, and common human interests, that privileged people/powerful ignore? 🎤 Shouldn't defensors advocating for their cause not only preach to the choir but also engage with dissenting voices? 🏆 Shouldn't traditional power structures and institutions act as role models, to help inspire, shape behaviors and set higher standards? 💹 Shouldn't we highlight these causes are not just morally imperative but also economically beneficial for all? 🖍 Shouldn't policymakers and project owners be trained on inclusiveness by design? 🐌 Shouldn't there be more financial incentives to incent investors to catch up with these situations? 👨 🙍♀️ Shouldn't both struggles address leaders representation & power imbalances in decision-making processes? 👮♀ If market mechanisms fail to rectify inequalities & injustice, shouldn't the Law step in way more, to ensure fairness and justice for all? Thanks for today's inspiring discussions in Dakar by Laïssa Diallo-Ndiaye from Ecko, Thiam-KA Dieynaba S. from USAID Entrepreneuriat & Investissement, Marie Odile SENE Ep. KANTOUSSAN from CGF Bourse, Christel Alvergne from United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), Mariéme Ngom from SERTEM PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, Idrissa M. Diabira from ADEPME OFFICIEL, Karim SY from JokkoLabs amongst others! 🙏 🙏 🙏 #InternationalWomensDay #Africa #Senegal #GenderEquality #ClimateAction #HumanRights #HeForShe #Intersectionality #ChangeForGood 🌍✊

Reflecting on the International Women's Month (March), the Kenyan Dean of the African Food Fellowship, Brenda Mareri poses a challenge - How are women truly playing a transformative role in leadership in the Agricultural space beyond training and capacity building?" In this op-ed on the Nation, she shares insights on the evident gender gaps in leadership more so in the agriculture sector while highlighting initiatives such as the African Food Fellowship that focus on new kinds of food systems leadership grounded in active inclusion of women. "Promoting a diversity of roles, voices and perspectives, the Fellowship helps to deconstruct colonials norms of leadership as stereotypically male and wealthy, widening the definition of who a leader is and how they act. There isn't only one way to lead," she notes. Brenda notes that to accelerate gender equality through economic empowerment, collective action is needed to break the gendered norms that hinder progress. Have a read and let us know about notable initiatives working towards meaningful involvement of women in leadership and decision-making https://lnkd.in/duwzPMAv

International Women's Day 2024 marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing march for gender equality and women's rights. This year, the theme resonates deeply with the Irish Accommodation Services Institute (IASI). Recognising the crucial role of women in driving innovation and creativity across various fields, IASI emphasises the need to break down barriers and provide equal opportunities for women to participate fully in all processes. By celebrating the achievements of women and advocating for inclusive practices within the industry, the IASI aims to foster a future where women's voices are heard, valued, and integrated into the shaping of a more equitable and sustainable world. Organisations and groups can champion inclusivity for women and girls through various actions. These include promoting economic empowerment, fostering diversity in talent recruitment and development, and facilitating women's entry into leadership, and decision-making roles. Ensuring infrastructure caters to their needs and aiding informed health decisions are also vital. Involving them in sustainable agriculture, providing access to quality education, and boosting participation in sports are further avenues. Elevating their creative and artistic talents and addressing additional areas for their advancement are also crucial steps. By actively engaging in these initiatives, organisations and groups can inspire inclusion and ensure the needs, interests, and aspirations of women and girls are valued and integrated into the fabric of society. Here's to the Innovative women of the IASI who all those years ago in 1985 broke down barriers, set up and rolled out the IASI and set the tone for everyone following in their footsteps. Here's to more of of that same spirit, imitation, passion and innovation moving forward.

***Global Women Symposium*** "Shaping a New Narrative for the Future of Finance" Highlighted Gender Diversity, Equality, Leadership and Empowerment, Inclusion & Mentorship within the financial sector to foster meaningful dialogue, share insights, and promote actionable strategies for advancing women's participation and leadership in finance. Key Takeways: *Gender Diversity Challenges in Finance: Challenges with Represntation, Leadership Opportunities & Career Progression Driss Belemlih Hermione Harrison Eleanor Slinger *The Power of Mentorship: Nurturing the Next Generation of Female Finance Leaders. Importance of mentorship in supporting the career development of women in finance, to explore different models of mentorship that can be effective in the financial sector Malak AlSaffar Mohammad Alblooshi Amal Larhlid امال لغليض *Driving Change - Best Practices for Creating Inclusive Financial Cultures: Different strategies that organisations can implement to promote gender equality, such as unconscious bias training, flexible work arrangements, and parental leave policies Amna Al Owais Ismahane R. Nadia Boumeziout Anthony O'Sullivan

March is more than a month; it's a movement. Join us in celebrating International Women’s Day all month long but liking and sharing this post! #Women are disproportionately impacted by our current economic system. To address this, there's a push towards embracing a green economy and a care-focused society, which would enhance women's participation and influence. By investing in women and implementing gender-responsive financing, we're not only championing equity but fueling progress for everyone. By placing the #empowerment of women at the forefront of our economic strategies, we're sculpting a future where gender equity drives our financial choices. #GenderEquality International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) Obama Foundation Women for Women International

This year’s theme for the UN-supported International Women’s Day, to be held on 8th March, is 'Invest in women: Accelerate progress’. The UN maintains that the world is at a crossroads for gender equality and that standing up for women’s rights is more important than ever. In my latest blog, I explain why investing in women matters by highlighting UN insights that gender equality is 300 years away, that technology and innovation need more women, and that stock exchange statistics show insufficient women in leadership. I then explain how investors can accelerate progress towards gender equality by working with an ethical investment adviser to encourage fund managers and companies to use the Women’s Empowerment Principles, investing with fund managers who are ethical leaders, and telling the stock exchange you support their gender equality actions including the celebration of International Women's Day, on 8th March, with a bell-ringing ceremony. In keeping with the spirit of NZ's women's suffrage movement, which resulted in NZ being the first self-governing country in which women were able to vote, NZ investors, investment advisers and fund managers have the opportunity to be ethical leaders by investing more in women to accelerate progress towards gender equality. You can use your money as a force for good by voting for gender equality with your investments. Read the blog here: https://lnkd.in/g2F6vaP2 #investinwomen #genderequality #internationalwomensday2024 #ethicalinvesting #investing4tomorrow