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Address Adverse Impact of Globalization, Panel Says
A panel of gender experts, trade specialists and politicians called for policies to free the poor, women and other marginalized groups from persistent constraints regarding employment, decision-making and access to business finance.
Image from Unctad website
“Unless the world refocuses its policies to address the adverse impact of globalization and economic inequality on development and poverty reduction, the poor and the privileged will continue to live worlds apart,” said Rachel Mayanja, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Gender Issues and the Advancement of Women. She was speaking during an interactive thematic roundtable on “Globalization, development and poverty reduction – their social and gender dimensions”.
The roundtable urged UNCTAD to help governments devise programmes that help promote social equity in an era of imbalanced globalization.
Ms. Mayanja warned that few countries, poor or rich, are immune to the rising tide of global inequality. This makes it imperative for economic and social policies and institutions to step up efforts to reduce widening social and gender disparities.
UNCTAD Secretary-General Supachai Panitchpakdi told the panel that “better managed” globalization requires a practical blend of market mechanisms and government direction. It is also necessary to promote the type of economic growth that empowers women to participate in labour forces and trade systems. Such growth should be accompanied by policies that create productive employment for all and enhance basic social protections and benefits. “It really is about ensuring inclusive growth,” he said.
