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First G20 Conference on Women Empowerment

August 27th, 2021

The G20 Conference on Women’s Empowerment took place on 26 August 2021 in Santa Margherita Ligure.  This is the first time that a dedicated event on women’s empowerment has been planned in the G20 system, focusing on the quality of women’s work, the implementation of policies aimed at increasing women’s participation in positions of leadership, the protection of women’s rights, and on tackling gender-based violence.

The Conference was opened with a message by the Italian Prime Minister, Mario Draghi and a speech by the Italian Minister for Equal Opportunities and Family, Elena Bonetti, followed by remarks from the President of the Senate, Maria Elisabetta Casellati, and interventions by the Vice-President of the Chamber of Deputies, Maria Edera Spadoni and the EU Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli.

The Conference involved Gender Equality Ministers from the G20 countries and host countries, representatives of international organisations (UN Women, ILO, OECD), representatives of the business community, academia, and civil society. The debate addressed two specific areas:

• Stem, financial and digital literacy, environment, and sustainability,
• Labour and economic empowerment and work-life balance.

The Conference also hosted a specific meeting, convened by Minister Bonetti, which was specifically dedicated to the condition of women in Afghanistan.

At the end of the Conference, Minister Bonetti issued a Chair’s Statement that will be sent to the G20 Leaders.