As a CIR intern, I had the opportunity to attend the World Bank-organized session on "Empowering Women as Entrepreneurs and Leaders" at the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, DC on Thursday, April 13, 2023. This engaging panel discussion featured prominent speakers such as David R. Malpass, President of the World Bank, and India's Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, who joined other panelists to explore the topic of women's development and empowerment across the globe.
During the session, opinions varied on how best to promote women's economic participation and entrepreneurship. The panelists examined the conditions and strategies required in order to achieve genuine empowerment for women. Both Malpass and Sitharaman underscored the critical role of women in the global economy and development, emphasizing the significance of their empowerment and advancement.
The session highlighted the ongoing economic vulnerability faced by women worldwide due to societal constraints and cultural discrimination. Moreover, it emphasized the vital role of women in economic development and the importance of personal growth and education as prerequisites for their empowerment.
It was disappointing that the session did not delve into specific solutions and strategies for enhancing women's economic participation and empowerment. Furthermore, the unique cultural challenges faced by women around the world were not adequately addressed. To remedy these shortcomings, future discussions should adopt a more comprehensive approach and consider a wider range of perspectives on women's economic participation and empowerment, incorporating more concrete and actionable solutions.