Studies by Emory University Students Kathleen Holmes and Brittany Moore

by Astrid Pregel

Imagine spending your summer vacation contributing to the understanding of how women in developing countries benefit from Village Savings and Loans programs. And then imagine having the opportunity, even before you graduate, to provide concrete actionable advice to professionals working in the field. Kathleen Holmes and Brittany Moore of Emory University's Public Health Program made their first presentation about their summer field studies in Africa to the Women Advancing Microfinance fall launch event at Emory University in October 2008.  They recently had an opportunity to brief staff at the CARE International headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia  and Astrid Pregel who was pleased to attend to represent WAM sends us this report.

“Gender and Economics in the Middle East and Northern Africa: From Theory to Policy Making”

Dubai, UAE November 2008

Swishing black abaiyas, one more beautifully nuanced than the other, wraps and head scarves of incredible color and pattern, a surprising number of wonderful male researchers some sporting blue suits some the traditional  dishdashas  and a few of us in standard, rather boring, western attire gathered for an intriguing two day conference that connected the themes of economic prosperity and gender equality. The conference focused more heavily on theory than policy making, but excellent presentations were made as well as many wonderful connections, stimulating conversations and encouragement that so much good research on a topic once viewed as difficult and peripheral is being accomplished around the Middle East and North Africa.

"4^th Forum of the Global Leadership Initiative on Gender Equality in Cities (2006-2009)"

Atlanta, Georgia November 2008

As a member of the UN's UNITAR and CIFAL program committee for the “Global Leadership Initiative on Gender Equality in Cities Conferences”, Astrid attended the fourth forum “Gender Governance and Economic Empowerment in the Americas” held in Atlanta November 20-21, 2008.  Astrid is also the Gender Equality consultant for Fulton County which was the lead sponsor of this year's event. She was more than a little proud of the amazing work Fulton County has achieved in gender equality under the leadership of Fulton County Commissioner Nancy Boxill. Commissioner Boxill is the epitome of what it takes to successfully launch major changes in mindsets around gender – a passionate champion!

Diverse suppliers in Canada, while a significant and growing part of the Canadian economy  are under represented in the large supply chains of corporations and governments. It is estimated that Canadian women entrepreneurs while holding some ownership stake in 47% of Canadian SME's, receive significantly less than 5% of contracts awarded by the largest purchasers in Canada. While women start more businesses than men in Canada  and Canadian women business owners are recognized as leaders in the field of entrepreneurship in the OECD countries, women's business in Canada (and around the world) grow at significantly lower rates less than male owned businesses. Enhancing women's business growth by helping them to successfully do business with large corporate and government purchasers through supplier diversity initiatives, is a proven route to assisting women's business to grow to their full economic potential. Supporting under represented minorities to enter the mainstream of the Canadian economy is consistent with Canadian values and ethics.