Women have consistently dared to pursue creative and lasting solutions to problems facing their communities, and they have done so with virtually no support or investment from traditional sources. Imagine the impact women in our communities can do with adequate support and resources. We hope that resources like the WE conference can lay the foundation for this radical, sustainable transformation.
The Role of MSMEs
When we think about the largest and most adaptable populations within which we can start doing this work, it seems as if MSMEs stand above the rest. Not only do they, themselves, mirror society’s structures, but they also represent a group of entrepreneurs that are built on the foundations of resilience. Therefore by capturing this community, representing over 70% of the global economy, we will be able to sustainably create change while demonstrating how we can restructure society in a more equitable standing.Gender Equality and the SDGs
Within the 17 SDGs, over a hundred targets seek to look more specifically into the individual elements within each goal:* Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
* Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres.
* Target 5.4: Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work.
* Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership.
* Target 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights.
Globally, women spend triple the number of times men on domestic care and unpaid work. That is why women can innovate both creatively and sustainably. They have the training of running households, planning events, innovating frugally, and the passion for fixing what is broken in the world.
Empowering Women for a Sustainable Future
We must look at our current structure and recognize that women should be making decisions for women. Women have been forced to bear the brunt of the economic and social fallout from the pandemic, and they have received a fraction of the support that men have. It is impossible to achieve the SDGs without the economic empowerment of women.Here at ICSB, we believe resources like the Women Entrepreneurship (WE) conference are crucial for empowering a new generation of women leaders and entrepreneurs. If we desire a sustainable and just future, recognizing and valuing women's perspectives and contributions is one of the easiest ways to transform our economy's foundations radically.