Tag Archives: Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex at Women in Leadership

In a groundbreaking event in Abuja, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, joined forces with Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, to lead a riveting discussion on women in leadership. The duo’s collaboration marked a significant stride towards empowering women globally, as they delved into the multifaceted challenges that women encounter in leadership roles.

Under the discerning moderation of media personality Mo Abudu, the “Women in Leadership” discussion unfolded as an intimate fireplace chat, fostering an atmosphere of candid dialogue and mutual understanding. Markle, known for her advocacy for gender equality and inclusivity, brought her unique perspective to the forefront, emphasizing the importance of amplifying women’s voices and dismantling systemic barriers.

Okonjo-Iweala, a trailblazer in her own right, shared insights gleaned from her distinguished career, inspiring attendees with her resilience and determination. Together, Markle and Okonjo-Iweala navigated topics ranging from gender bias to the imperative of mentorship and support networks for aspiring female leaders.

Markle spoke passionately about her Nigerian heritage. Embracing her ancestry, she emphasized the importance of diversity and cultural pride in leadership. Markle’s acknowledgment resonated, fostering connections and inspiring inclusivity in the global dialogue on empowerment.

The event served as a beacon of hope and empowerment, igniting conversations and driving momentum towards a more equitable future. As Markle and Okonjo-Iweala illuminated the path forward, their collaboration underscored the transformative potential of women’s leadership in effecting positive change on a global scale. With their voices united, they epitomized the spirit of solidarity and determination that continues to propel the movement for gender equality forward.

Reversing the Global Slide on Poverty

Reversing the Global Slide on Poverty:

How We Can Scale Up Proven Anti-Poverty Solutions

The continuing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising inflation, and the war in Ukraine have exacerbated global poverty levels. According to the World Bank, between 75 and 95 million people are likely to be pushed into extreme poverty this year, reversing decades of progress on global poverty alleviation. In the face of severe loss of income, social protection measures like direct cash transfers, poverty graduation, and cash plus programs have proven extremely effective in providing fast relief to those facing disruption. Strengthening the social protection infrastructure, and pairing immediate poverty relief with long-term strategies, is key to helping the most affected communities rebound and withstand future shocks.

The session explored:

• How can governments, businesses, and NGOs work together to implement and scale up evidence-based anti-poverty solutions?

• How can we make social protection programs more robust and more responsive?

• How can we leverage data and technology to improve the targeting of anti-poverty interventions so that the most vulnerable are not left behind?

Speakers:

• Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General, World Trade Organization.

• Cina Lawson, Minister of Digital Economy and Transformation, Government of Togo

• Prof. Abhijit Vinayak Banerjee, Ford Foundation International Professor of Economics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

• Gargee Ghosh, President, Global Policy and Advocacy, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

• Alice Patterson Albright, Chief Executive Officer, Millennium Challenge Corporation