The conference on Promoting Equal and Inclusive Representation of Women in Decision-Making Systems held on 23 February 2024 at the World Trade Institute in Bern, Switzerland, brought together experts and stakeholders to address key challenges faced by women in political leadership roles. In the conference organized by the World Trade Institute of the University of Bern, GQUAL and the Institute of International Relations in Prague the discussions focused on the importance of achieving gender parity and the role of international law in advancing this goal.
The conference highlighted the urgent need to address the underrepresentation of women in decision-making roles and underscored the importance of collective action, concrete recommendations, and accountability mechanisms to achieve equal and inclusive representation in political leadership. The conference underscored the importance of addressing gender inequalities in financial decision-making, conflict resolution processes, and technological advancements to ensure women’s equal and inclusive representation in decision-making systems.
The conference also emphasized the critical importance of the new CEDAW GR40 in advancing gender equality, promoting women’s participation in decision-making processes, and achieving inclusive representation at all levels of governance.
For more information on the conference, please visit the WTI webpage here https://www.wti.org/outreach/events/966/promoting-equal-and-inclusive-representation-of-women-in-decision-making-systems-a-holistic-approach-to-economic-empowerment/ and also here for a follow up on the conference https://www.wti.org/institute/news/1171/promoting-equal-and-inclusive-representation-of-women-in-decision-making-systems-a-holistic-approach-to-economic-empowerment/
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Related links:
- Presentation video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0Od6bUk9FZU
- Interview with Prof. Elisa Fornalé and Dr Anoush der Boghossian by Ms Serena Wölfel for Uniaktuell, 20 March 2024, https://www.uniaktuell.unibe.ch/2024/wti_conference_women/index_eng.html
In a uniAKTUELL interview, Elisa Fornalé from the World Trade Institute (WTI), University of Bern, and Anoush der Boghossian from the World Trade Organization (WTO) discuss the outcomes of a pivotal WTI-hosted conference. Drawing on insights from 28 international experts, they explore the drafting of a new UN “General Recommendation” aimed at enhancing women’s representation in decision-making bodies, and underscore how gender issues are deeply embedded in global trade—refuting the myth of trade’s neutrality.
- University of Bern, Press Release, Empowerment, Equality, and Inclusion: Women in Decision-Making Systems, https://mediarelations.unibe.ch/media_releases/2024/media_releases_2024/empowerment_equality_and_inclusion_women_in_decision_making_systems/index_eng.html
- WTI post-event report: https://www.wti.org/institute/news/1171/promoting-equal-and-inclusive-representation-of-women-in-decision-making-systems-a-holistic-approach-to-economic-empowerment/
- GQUAL post-event report: https://gqualcampaign.org/beyond-parity-economic-empowerment-and-promoting-equal-and-inclusive-representation-of-women-in-decision-making-systems/
Related publications
- Fornalé, E, Cristani, F., Heepen, R. ´Gender Parity in the Making: Promoting Equal and Inclusive Representation of Women in Decision-Making Systems´ IIR Policy Paper (2024), https://www.iir.cz/en/gender-parity-in-the-making-promoting-equal-and-inclusive-representation-of-women-in-decision-making-systems
The paper highlights challenges to women’s inclusion in decision-making, focusing on economic empowerment and the impact of trade, finance, and investment policies. It summarises insights from a 2024 conference in Bern, co-organized by Prof. Elisa Fornalé (World Trade Institute of the University of Bern), GQUAL and the IIR Prague, which addressed gender parity, women’s leadership, and the role of international law in advancing equality.
- GEM project publications by Prof. Elisa Fornalé: https://www.womenandparticipation.org/index.php/resources/publications#
- Fornalé, E. and Tlili, R., Photobook, From gender inequality to gender parity, 2024, https://www.womenandparticipation.org/documenti/GEMPhotobook.pdf
Partner organizing project: Gender Equality in the Mirror (GEM): Clothing the Invisibility of Women at International Level – SNF GEM Project, led by Prof. Elisa Fornalé, World Trade Institute of the University of Bern: https://www.womenandparticipation.org/