EVENTS| THE BIRDSALL HOUSE CONFERENCE ON GENDER EQUALITY
Beyond the Backlash: Charting a New Course for Women and Work in a Changing Global Economy
The world stands at a pivotal moment for gender equality. As the Center for Global Development marks our 10th year convening the brightest minds in this space, we're confronting unprecedented challenges—and extraordinary opportunities.
Rising debt, fiscal crises, trade tensions, and shrinking aid budgets are reshaping the global development landscape. Alongside this, care systems are under increasing strain and gender rights face growing backlash. As governments scramble to reignite economic growth and create jobs, there's a real risk that gender equality and women's economic empowerment could be pushed to the sidelines.
This year's conference brings together experts and thought leaders from a range of backgrounds to forge an evidence-based path to change. Together, we'll examine key challenges, share rigorous research findings, and uncover practical strategies to keep gender equality at the heart of global development—not an afterthought, but the foundation for sustainable, inclusive growth.
Join us as we inform the next decade of progress.
Schedule
8:30 - 9:30 am
Breakfast & Registration
9:00 – 9:10 am
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Welcome byKehinde Ajayi, Senior Fellow and Director, Gender Equality and Inclusion Program, CGD
Gender and the Care Economy in the Developing World
Nancy Folbre, Professor Emerita of Economics, University of Massachusetts Amherst - Link to Presentation Slides
10:30 – 11:00 am
Coffee Break
11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Session 1: Understanding and Overcoming Barriers to Women’s Paid Work
Presenters:
Decreasing Domestic Drudgery: Why It Matters and What We Know About What Works in Low- and Middle-Income Countries,Kehinde Ajayi, Senior Fellow and Director, Gender Equality and Inclusion Program, CGD - Link to Presentation Slides and Paper
Access to Capital and Women’s Entrepreneurship, Rachel Cassidy, Economist, IFC - Link to Presentation Slides and Paper
Gender-Based Violence and Jobs, Manuel Contreras Urbina, Global Lead on Gender-Based Violence, World Bank - Link to Presentation Slides
Engaging Men for Women’s Economic Empowerment, Rachael Pierotti, Senior Social Scientist, World Bank - Link to Presentation Slides and Brief
Moderator: Bama Athreya, Executive Director, International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) Americas
12:30 – 1:30 pm
Lunch Break
1:30 – 3:00 pm
Session 2: Fostering Inclusive Labor Markets and Economic Development
Presenters:
Women and the digital economy, S Anukriti, Senior Economist, World Bank
Energy and economic opportunities for women, Katie Auth, Policy Director, Energy for Growth Hub
Gender and structural change, Gaurav Chiplunkar, Assistant Professor, Darden School of Business, University of Virginia - Link to Presentation Slides
Care sectors and the green transition, Caren Grown, Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution - Link to Presentation Slides
Moderator:Markus Goldstein, Vice President & Senior Fellow, Center for Global Development
