Effects of Digitalization on Women within the G20 Economies


13/03/2017

Effects of Digitalization on Women within the G20 Economies


Digital Solutions for Sustainability

Effects of Digitalization on Women within the G20 Economies


In the light of the upcoming Argentine G20 presidency, Women20 Argentina (#W20ARG) launched the first G20 engagement group dialogue meeting in Buenos Aires on March 20th and 21st. The two-day conference and dialogue forum was facilitated and supported by the Emerging Market Sustainability Dialogues (EMSD) as well as the German Embassy in Argentina. EMSD also serves as W20 Germany’s international implementation Partner.

The Argentine think tank Centro de Implementación de Políticas Públicas para la Equidad y el Crecimiento (CIPPEC, Center for the Implementation of Public Policies Promoting Equity and Growth) took over the coordination of the event. The first day of the conference was kicked off with an overview of the G20 and respective engagement group dialogues processes, particularly regarding the German Women20 (W20) process and focus topics, presented by Juliane Rosin, W20 Germany. Hongju Zhao, All China’s Women’s Association, introduced how China approached and implemented digitalisation in the G20 agenda. Subsequently, Claudia Grosse-Leege from the Association of German Women Entrepreneurs – one of the two organisations co-chairing W20 Germany – provided background on the decision of W20 Germany to include digital inclusion as one of its three focus Topics.

The presentations were followed by the preliminary launch of the W20 study on “Effects of Digitalisation on Women in G20 economies”, presented by Alina Sorgner from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW). The research showed that gender gaps in labour force participation, entrepreneurship, as well as Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) degree courses as well as within the digital world persist in all G20 countries.

Particular focus was placed on the research outcome concerning the current situation in Argentina. The presentation of the findings was further complemented by corporate, NGO, and academic perspectives.

The launch event brought together 140 participants from business, academia, government, media as well as women’s and entrepreneurs’ associations.

In addition, a dialogue with more than 50 representatives from Argentine legislative, executive, and women associations on topics including labour markets, human rights, pay parity, anti-violence, among others, as well as the process, organisation, focus topics and desired outcome of the future W20 process was Held.

The conference and discussion sessions were accompanied by bilateral dialogues of the German W20 delegation with Argentine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Susanna Malcorra, Minister of Social Development Carolina Stanley, G20 Sherpa Beatriz Nofal, as well as Women in Parliament in the National Congress. Argentina’s G20 presidency will foster the voice of the emerging economies, particularly across South America, labour market development and education. Focus of W20 Argentina will be put on women’s economic empowerment and overall gender parity.

For further information please contact: nina.roth@giz.de

More info via #W20ARG.

On Twitter you can follow: @EconPolicyForum, @WomenTwenty_Ger, @CIPPEC.