Gender equality is an integral part of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development's (EBRD) commitment to promoting sustainable and inclusive market economies through its project and policy activities.
The EBRD held its Annual Meeting and Business Forum in Marrakech, with a theme of Responding to Challenges in a Turbulent World and focused on how to promote equality of opportunity in times of crisis.
Empowerment of women and girls
The event brought together inspirational speakers from a diversity of backgrounds to discuss responses to global challenges. They explored the role of policymakers and the private sector, highlighted case studies, and discussed innovative policy approaches to promote equality, which they reinforced is needed now more than ever.
Integrating a focus on equality
EBRD Director for Gender & Economic Inclusion, Barbara Rambousek, spoke at the event stating: "Integrating a focus on equality of opportunity is now the way we do business. For example, we directly invest in care provision with our clients and take the private sector voice into national level care provision and policies."
Government Commissioner for Gender Equality Policy in Ukraine, Kateryna Levchenko [pictured on screen above], also addressed the event by joining live from Kyiv to discuss the importance of safeguarding gender equality in such times of crisis.
"It's great to be back in person and discuss some of these difficult topics but also opportunities, face-to-face and make progress," said Heike Harmgart, EBRD Managing Director for the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean Region.
Further speakers included Katarína Mathernová, Deputy Director General, European Commission; Olcay Silahlı, Co-Founder & CEO of Whole Surplus; Chiyo Robertson (Moderator) Senior Business Journalist at BBC Global News; Ahmed Hazem, Managing Director of Falak Startups; Cécile Riallant, Head of Migration & Sustainable Development, Department of Peace & Development Coordination, International Organization for Migration
Watch the video of the event here.
Making gains for the empowerment of women and girls
Speaking about the event, the EBRD said: "Today's rapidly changing world faces multiple and overlapping challenges, from conflict to climate change to the lasting economic and social impacts of the Covid pandemic. Such challenges not only threaten livelihoods and curtail equal access to economic opportunity for many, but they also put at risk the gains made in the empowerment of women and girls over the past decades. In order to tackle these challenges, people need to harness innovation, ingenuity and initiative from all parts of society – including the young and old, women, those in remote regions and urban centres, and all others who may face barriers to fully realising their potential."
Advancing gender-responsive and inclusive practices
Announced at the event was the winner of the EBRD's Sustainability Awards for the Gender and Inclusion category. The Gold Award was won by Suu JSC, a company established in 1958 to supply milk and dairy products in Mongolia. The company launched a gender equality project to advance gender-responsive and inclusive practices both internally and among its suppliers.
Join the EBRD and help forge equality
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There are a many career opportunities availble with the EBRD, so research and apply today.
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Disclosure: Where Women Work researches and publishes insightful evidence about how its paid member organizations support women's equality.