Women and the Future of Work: The Fourth Annual Birdsall House Conference on Women

Digital technology–from automation to fintech and smart apps–permeates nearly all aspects of business and economic growth. And as technology use increases, the culture of work itself is changing. 

How do these transformations impact women in emerging markets? If there are fewer jobs, will men and women compete for more of the same jobs (even for roles traditionally held by women)? Will the jobs that are disappearing be those primarily held by women? Who will hold these new jobs? Can technology bolster women’s economic inclusion? 

Join us for the 4th Annual Birdsall Conference on Women to discuss how technology and the future of work will impact women’s economic empowerment and the opportunities and challenges they could face. This event was supported in part by funding from the ExxonMobil Foundation.

Agenda

9:00am: Breakfast

9:30am: Welcoming remarks

• Masood Ahmed (CGD)

9:40am: Conversation: The Future of Work and How Technology Change Affects Women

• Charles Kenny (CGD)
• Molly Kinder (New America)

10:30am: Presentation: Mobile Savings for Women Entrepreneurs

• Mayra Buvinic (CGD)
• Kate Scaife Diaz (Technoserve)

11:10am: Presentation: Gender Responsiveness in Digital Governance (Digital ID and other technologies)

• Alan Gelb (CGD)
• Anit Mukherjee (CGD)

11:50am: Panel Discussion: Leveraging the Policy & Private Sectors to Empower Women

• Era Dabla Norris (Fiscal Affairs Division Chief, IMF)
• Catherine Mclennan Highet (Technology Lead, Women's Financial Inclusion Community of Practice facilitated by CGAP)
• Kate Saetang (Strategy Manager, Accenture Development Partnerships)
• Revi Sterling (Director, Women Connect Challenge, USAID)
• Malaka Gharib (NPR) – Moderator

1:00pm: Lunch Reception

Subject to change