Side event organized by the International Development Law Organization (IDLO) with the support of the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Tunisia to the United Nations and Global Affairs Canada, in partnership with Women, Business and the Law at the World Bank and the Generation Equality Action Coalition on Economic Justice and Rights, on the occasion of the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women
Monday, 17 March 2025
3:00-4:15 pm EST
Conference Room 9, UN Headquarters, New York
Women and girls continue to face legal and structural barriers to achieving their full economic potential, impacting global economic growth and stability. Laws and policies discriminating against women limit their access to jobs, entrepreneurship opportunities, and financial assets, reducing global productivity rates and contributing to underdevelopment. The pay gap between women and men remains at 16-22% globally, with an estimated 740 million women working in the informal sector. While women’s labor force participation is approximately 50%, this rate varies across national contexts, influenced by economic structures, labor market demands, education systems, and individual choice. However, where women’s participation is limited by legal and systemic barriers, economies miss opportunities for increased growth and investment.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, women and girls suffered a significant job loss, reinforcing pre-existing challenges. Today, as job markets evolve, addressing these challenges and ensuring that women can access emerging sectors is critical for long-term development.
With the international community commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, it is critical to galvanize political will, commitment and adequate financial resources to meet the goals set out in the Agenda 2030 and Pact for the Future.
Addressing legal constraints to women’s employment, entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion can drive countries’ economic growth, contributing to overall development and stability, and effectively addressing the broader security and displacement challenges.
This roundtable discussion will engage experts to share good practices and case studies on identifying rule of law pathways to achieve women's full economic potential. More specifically, it will focus on addressing the following questions:
- What are the pathways to ensure that legal and regulatory frameworks support a business and investment environment that accelerates women’s economic rights?
- What legal and policy measures can help women entrepreneurs and workers achieve sustainable livelihoods?
- What is the role of formal and informal justice systems towards promoting women’s equal rights to land, credit, jobs and other economic assets?
Agenda
Moderator
Rea Abada Chiongson, Senior Legal Advisor, IDLO
Opening and Special Remarks
- H.E. Ms. Alya Ahmed Saif Al-Thani, Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the UN in New York
- H.E. Mr. Dónal Cronin, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Ireland to the UN in New York
- H.E. Mr. Yassine Salah, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Tunisia to the UN in New York
Speakers
- Tea Trumbic, Manager, Women, Business and the Law, World Bank
- Isatou Badjie, Thematic Lead, Action Coalition on Economic Justice and Rights, Generation Equality, UN Women
- Krista Jones Baptista, Executive Director, Data2X
- Esther Mwaura Muiru, Global Advocacy Director, Stand for Her Land Campaign, Landesa
Interactive Discussion
PLEASE NOTE: RSVP is only required for non-UN Pass holders. Please request a Special Event Pass to attend the event in your RSVP email.