In Sub-Saharan Africa, evidence shows that investing in women’s and girls’ education, health and economic opportunities is fundamental to realizing the continent’s human capital potential and spurring sustainable economic growth. Over the past few decades, countries in the region have made considerable progress addressing a range of outcomes that are critical for women’s and girls’ empowerment, including legal reforms on the age of marriage and gender-based violence. However, women and girls remain particularly vulnerable by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has exacerbated existing gender gaps and inequalities. The COVID-19 response must therefore be centered on protecting, preserving and sustaining financial and social investments in women and girls.

As part of the Human Capital Project Global Forum, which brings together government focal points from around the world, this event will highlight testimonies from voices with first-hand experience and expertise on why protecting and advancing women’s and girls’ social and economic empowerment in the immediate and long-term matters now more than ever. Government leaders and development partners will also share lessons learned from previous crisis, efforts to protect investments in human capital, and how they are pursuing this critical development agenda amidst the current crisis.

Join us for the live conversation on March 3rd.
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Which of these will be the most important to ensure full participation and inclusion of women and girls for economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa?

— World Bank Africa (@WorldBankAfrica) February 24, 2021

In celebration of International Women’s Day, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) is hosting its 6th Annual Gender Leadership Award, titled ‘Women Financing a Resilient Asia.’ The Award recognizes a leader who has a proven track record of seeking to further the cause of women’s advancement and gender equality while contributing to the World Bank Group’s twin goals of reducing poverty and boosting shared prosperity.

MIGA is delighted to recognize Audra Low, Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director, Clifford Capital as this years’ awardee. Ms. Low has shown her commitment to furthering gender equality in the workplace, particularly in front line roles/functions where women’s representation has historically been lacking. Ms. Low’s efforts set an example for women in the finance sector, who have been significantly underrepresented in executive positions, representing less than 2% of bank CEOs and holding less than 20% of board seats of banks worldwide.

The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) was created in 1988 as a member of the World Bank Group to promote foreign direct investment in emerging economies by helping mitigate the risks of restrictions on currency conversion and transfer, breach of contract by governments, expropriation, and war & civil disturbance; and offering credit enhancement to private investors and lenders. Since its creation, MIGA has issued over US$59 billion in guarantees across 118 developing countries.

PROGRAM - 6th Annual MIGA Gender Leadership Award: 

• Welcome and opening remarks
• ​Keynote address 
• Award presentation 
• MIGA Gender Leadership Award video
• Acceptance speech 
• Panel discussion 
• ​Closing  

Rising food insecurity and malnutrition, combined with high food loss and waste, agricultural pollution and persistent poverty, show that the world’s food system is not fit for purpose—and COVID-19 has only worsened existing fault lines in the food and agriculture sector. The ongoing digital revolution could be transformative for food and agriculture, and create more efficient, equitable, and environmentally sustainable ways to feed the world.

Tune in to Digital Agriculture: New Frontiers for the Food System, a dynamic event with food tech innovators and leaders from the private and public sector who will explore the transformational potential of digital agriculture to feed the world in a way that delivers healthier people, healthier economies and a healthier planet.

Join us for the live conversation on March 17th.
Be sure to sign up for an email reminder!

Panelists:

• Mari Elka Pangestu; World Bank Managing Director of Development Policy and Partnerships
• Martien van Nieuwkoop; Global Director, Agriculture and Food Global Practice, World Bank
• Juergen Voegele; Vice President for Sustainable Development, World Bank
• Kateryna Schroeder; Agriculture Economist, Food and Agriculture Global Practice, World Bank
• Boutheina Guermazi; Director of Digital Development, World Bank
• Sunny George Verghese; Executive Director, Co-Founder and Group CEO, Olam
• Bill Sonneborn; Senior Director, Disruptive Technologies, IFC
• Lauri A. Hanover; Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Netafim Ltd
• Thirukumaran Nagarajan; Co-founder and CEO, Ninjacart
• Peter Njonjo; Co-Founder and CEO, Twiga Foods 
• Ranveer Chandra; Chief Scientist, Azure Global at Microsoft
• Rikin Gandhi; Co-founder and Executive Director, Digital Green
• Jessica Fanzo; Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of Global Food & Agricultural Policy and Ethics, The Johns Hopkins University 
• Simon Winter; Executive Director, Syngenta Foundation
• Mariana Vasconcelos; CEO, Agrosmart S.A. 
• Christine Gould; Founder & CEO, Thought for Food
• Simone Strey; Founder and CEO, Plantix
• Taesik Yoon, Deputy Minister for International Affairs, Ministry of Economy and Finance (MOEF), Republic of Korea 
• Hamadi Iddi Boga; Principal Secretary of the State Department for Agricultural Research in the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Irrigation in the Government of Kenya
• Maximo Torero Cullen; Chief Economist of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Host:

• Femi Oke, international journalist, writer and moderator