Over 800 delegates from Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)economies are gathering in Bali, Indonesia to develop a strategyto further empower women and strengthen their respective economies.
“Women as Economic Drivers” was chosen as the theme for the three-dayannual Women and Economy Forum (WEF) of APEC this year, which opened onSept.6.
Structural reform, women and information-communicationtechnologies as well as infrastructure and human resources are the threesub-themes that will be discussed by representatives from regionalpublic and private sectors as well as non-governmental organisations.
In her opening speech, Indonesian Minister of Women’sEmpowerment and Child Protection Linda Amalia Sari Gumelar praised theAPEC region for the advances it has made in empowering women.
However, she said there are still many barriers to overcome, which willform part of the discussions during the WEF, such as labourdiscrimination, rule systems and issues that inhibit women and small andmedium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to access capital and assets.
Since SMEs make a significant contribution to socio-economic developmentand job creation, synergising the policies for the sector is necessary,said Gumelar.
US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s IssuesCatherine Russel underscored the rise in women leaders throughout theregion and the world, step-by-step affirming their bigger role in allareas of life.
On this occasion, outstanding innovations willbe honoured with the Young Women Innovators Award, an accolade given toexceptional candidates throughout the APEC region./.