Blog of Berthe De Vos Neven, SI Representative to the United Nations in Geneva. 

Since all women are a part of the economy in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe region (UNECE), this is a particularly vast topic to consider. The title of this workshop ‘Women and the Economy’, hosted during the Beijing +30 Review for Civil Society in the UNECE region, refers to the quality participation of women in both monetised and non-monetised economies. The term covers women’s equal participation in the labour force, women’s equal access to entrepreneurship, social protection, finances and markets, as well as women’s contributions through unpaid domestic and care-work, their meaningful participation in economic decision-making at all levels, and, broadly, on women’s economic empowerment.

Women and the Economy

The workshop opened with a series of engaging presentations and interactive elements, including a powerful short film that summarised the achievements and ongoing efforts of the working group on women’s economic empowerment. This was followed by an insightful PowerPoint presentation that highlighted recent research and case studies underscoring the economic challenges and opportunities for women globally.

The workshop started with different input topics: short movie about the outcome of the working group plus some additions via power point presentation. A dream session with Dr. Vanessa Rosser followed, inviting attendees to imagine and share their ideal economy for women. The next speaker, Samah Krichah from Women´s Budget Group (WBG), the UK´s leading feminist economics think tank, delivered a compelling report about feminist economy.

During the second half of the workshop, the participants broke into groups of five to explore best practices for advocating for Women and the Economy. During a plenary presentation, all groups presented their results.

Key Takeaways

The workshop identified four key areas that are essential for fostering a more inclusive economy for women:

1. Gender-Inclusive Legislation
Participants underscored the need for legislation that recognises and addresses gender-specific economic barriers. This includes advocating for policies that support women’s access to fair wages, secure employment, and protections against workplace discrimination. A gender lens in policy-making is critical to create an economy where everyone has equal rights and opportunities.

2. Generation-Inclusive Economy
Building an economy that includes voices from all generations was seen as a priority. Attendees highlighted the importance of understanding the diverse economic needs of women at different life stages—from young women entering the workforce to older women facing retirement. Advocacy efforts must ensure that policies cater to the unique economic realities across age groups, providing financial security and opportunity throughout life.

3. Corporate Responsibility for an Equitable Workplace
Pressure on companies to establish truly equal work environments was deemed essential. This includes implementing transparent hiring practices, closing the gender pay gap, and creating family-friendly workplaces. Participants called for corporations to be accountable not only to shareholders but also to the communities and people they employ, ensuring that their policies align with principles of gender equality and fairness.

4. Strengthening the Relationship Between Civil Society and Government
A robust connection between civil society organisations and government bodies is vital for advancing women’s economic rights. Participants emphasised the need for civil society to have a voice in policy development and for governments to engage meaningfully with organisations that advocate for women.

The statement and recommendations of the working group can be found here: https://ngocsw-geneva.ch/beijing-30/#women-economy