International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the progress made toward gender equality and a yearly call for action to address the challenges women still face around the world. Latin America and the Caribbean countries made important strides improving the political representation of women, and currently women make up a record-high presence in national parliaments. However, women in LAC face one of the highest rates of violence in the world, with one femicide reported every two hours. They earn seventeen percent less than men per hour worked and are more vulnerable to fall under the poverty line. Solutions exist, and with six elections occurring in 2024 in the region, the year offers a unique opportunity to include gender disparities in the political agenda.

What policies should be implemented to curb gender-based violence? How can businesses and governments work to enhance women’s economic footing? How can a historic electoral year be used to leverage gender empowerment across the Americas?

The Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center and UN Women hosted a public event last Friday, March 8th, to celebrate this 2024’s IWD theme, “Inspire Inclusion,” with an in-person, solutions-oriented conversation about how to link gender inclusivity with broader economic and political goals. The discussion featured female leaders and public servants from across the Americas.

During this event, hosted in partnership with UN Women Multi-Country-Office Caribbean, the Atlantic Council launched a report, “Not without her: A roadmap for gender equality and Caribbean prosperity” which provides clear steps for Caribbean policymakers to address gender challenges in the region.

Keynote remarks

Adrienne Arsht
Executive Vice Chair; Founder, Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center and Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center
Atlantic Council

Maria-Noel Vaeza*
Regional Director, Latin America & Caribbean
UN Women

Panel 1 | Investing in women in Latin America & Caribbean

Gabriela Warkentin
Journalist and radio host
Radio W; El Pais Mexico

Kerri Hannan
Deputy Assistant Secretary – Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs
US Department of State

Laura Liswood*
Secretary General
Council of Women World Leaders

Maria Caridad Araujo
Chief of Gender and Diversity
Inter-American Development Bank

Panel 2 | Addressing gender-based violence: The great opportunity to inclusive development

H.E. Jacinth Henry-Martin
Ambassador
Embassy of St. Kitts & Nevis to the US

Patricia Francis, CD
Managing Director; former Executive Director
Portland JSX; International Trade Center (ITC)

Rolanda Campbell*
Counselor for victims of sexual violence
ChildLink (Guyana)

Closing remarks

Tonni Brodber*
Representative
UN Women Multi-Country Office Caribbean

*denotes virtual participation

The Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center broadens understanding of regional transformations and delivers constructive, results-oriented solutions to inform how the public and private sectors can advance hemispheric prosperity.

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