ABOUT

Every year Giving Women organises a conference which focusses on a particular theme. This year we decided that it is time to take a critical and deep look at livelihood creation for women at the bottom of the pyramid, identify the best practices and understand the reasons for the slow progress of women up the economic ladder. We will address issues such as the limitations and opportunities of vocational training leading to employment versus access to finance and enterprise development.

The Giving Women conference is a half-day event with an attendance of approximately 120- 150 participants from the philanthropic, business and development worlds.

The purpose of the conference is to address a broad audience and expose what is happening in the area of women’s livelihood creation, show best practices, and bring different actors together from UN and International organisations, NGOs, Civil Society and private sector to inform, share, reflect and act.

AGENDA

PANEL 1: INFORM

We’ll provide an overview of effective programmes addressing the economic empowerment of women in various contexts across the globe. How have women’s lives changed and how have their families and communities benefited? We will explore the challenges, opportunities and key learnings to transform vulnerable women at the bottom of the pyramid into economic actors. We will see how giving women economic autonomy can lead to significant improvements not just for themselves, but for their families and communities.

PANEL 2: SHARE 

We’ll highlight some of the innovative and successful projects that have developed livelihoods for women. Our panellists will share stories from projects and women and try to distil key learnings from their work and suggest what they believe is needed to effectively empower women economically.

PANEL 3: REFLECT 

What else do women at the bottom of the pyramid require to engage in economic activity? Beyond technical support, financial services and markets, this panel will reveal some of the important obstacles that hold women back: e.g. their families, their self-confidence, appropriate infrastructure, access to healthcare and childcare, a voice in the political process, etc… How do we overcome these important barriers to truly emancipate women economically?

CLOSING PANEL: ACT 

Following the break out panels the participants will reconvene for a short film followed by testimonials from women who have benefited from economic empowerment. We will hear about one organisation that ties in many of the key elements to support sustained improvements in the lives of those at the bottom of the pyramid.