Transforming pathways in the Global South for young women to work
An Echidna Global Scholar Dialogue
Past Event
As the pandemic and the climate crisis continue to disrupt livelihoods, the global economy faces the prospect of another worldwide recession that would widen inequality on a global scale. To advance sustainable development and unlock both Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 8: Decent work and economic growth and SDG 5: Gender equality, it is imperative to focus on solutions rooted in addressing and transforming systemic challenges and open pathways for those who have historically been left on the economic margins—particularly young women.
Facing gendered structural and social barriers and without early training and experience, a majority of young women in the Global South are either economically inactive or pushed into unpaid or underpaid informal jobs that exclude them from social protection benefits, limit the development of needed professional skills and networks, and preclude their entry into the formal workforce—trapping them in cycles of economic dependence.
On July 27, the Center for Universal Education (CUE) and the Echidna Global Scholar Alumni Network hosted a conversation focused on transforming the work experiences of young women across the Global South, exploring critical changes needed in tertiary education systems, education-to-employer interfaces, and entrepreneurial policies and practices.
Below are visual representations of both the panelists’ presentations and the readouts from the breakout room discussions, respectively:
This event was part of the Echidna Global Scholar Dialogues, which present the latest evidence in girls’ education from Global South researchers, provide an overview of efforts by local policymakers to address critical issues to improve learning opportunities and life outcomes for girls and young women, and share implementation challenges from practitioners on the ground. Event participants have the opportunity to share their own experiences and challenges and connect with others working on similar gender equality and education issues.
Agenda
Welcome
Jennifer L. O’Donoghue
Deputy Director - Center for Universal Education
Senior Fellow - Global Economy and Development
Presentations and discussions
Arundhuti Gupta
2021 Echidna Global Scholar - Center for Universal Education, Brookings Institution
Founder Trustee and CEO - Mentor Together
Mayyada Abu Jaber
2014 Echidna Global Scholar - Center for Universal Education, Brookings Institution
CEO and Founder - World of Letters
Nima Tshering
Former Echidna Global Scholar - Center for Universal Education, Brookings Institution
Lead Policy Advisor - Royal Government of Bhutan
Shrayana Bhattacharya
Senior Economist - Social Protection and Jobs Practice - World Bank South Asia
Author
Breakout room discussions with event participants
Breakout room readouts and closing
More Information
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