High-level Roundtable on FDI and Women Empowerment

in partnership with UN-WOMEN
Event
Session Type
Conference
Session Themes
Gender Equality
Contact Email
Amelia.Santos-Paulino@un.org
Claudia.Trentini@un.org
19 October 2023
14:30 - 16:00 Abu Dhabi
Asia/Dubai

Multinationals (MNEs) can be an influential force for gender equality when they set good examples in the countries where they operate. The adoption by MNEs of explicit non-discrimination policies ensuring equality in hiring practices, pay and promotion opportunities across their networks of affiliates is an important starting point for a positive impact. Through FDI, MNEs can further support women’s empowerment in host economies by affecting labour markets, influencing cultural norms and abating discriminatory practices. This high-level panel will discuss policy measures and initiatives that can ensure foreign investment translates into real benefits for women.

Session themes:

  • Do the benefits associated with FDI also translate into more gender-equal labour market outcomes across industries? How does this occur?
  • What types of policies, at both the national and international levels, can maximize the positive effect of FDI on gender equality in host countries?
  • What is the role of responsible investment principles and corporate social responsibility standards in furthering women’s empowerment beyond the confines of MNEs themselves?

Speaker(s)

Ambassador, Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Chile to the World Trade Organization (WTO)
Executive Director of Competitiveness Office of Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development
Associate Professor of Economics, American University
Managing Director, New Women Connectors
Deputy Executive Director a.i. for UN Coordination, Partnerships, Resources and Sustainability, UN WOMEN
Head of Secretariat, Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi), The World Bank Group
Executive Director, Export and Investment Center of the Dominican Republic
Executive Director, Self-Employed Women’s Association

Moderator(s)

Broadcaster, Journalist and award-winning Author, BBC