"Five Regional Challenges, One Solution: Women"

por Laura Liswood *
 
The World Economic Forum Latin America Summit has focused on a number of major issues in the region.  The one that I was delighted to participate in was a session titled "Five Regional Challenges, One Solution: Women".  I liked the tidiness of the title, the concept that so many of those issues raised could be and should be looked at through the lens of women.  The five challenges?  Talent and education, health and nutrition, leadership, employment and business performance and national competitiveness.  These are core issues to the sustainable growth and wellbeing of the diverse and varied countries that make up Latin America.
Increasing the talent and ensuring quality education for all is a persuasive and unquestionable need for the globe.  It is particularly crucial in Latin America and where much success has been accomplished already.  The gap in girls’ education against boys has closed in much of the region.  In some places, like the Dominican Republic, Suriname and Venezuela, women in their 20s have greater likelihood of college attendance.  At the primary school level, most of the region finds girls enrolled in school as much as boys.  Ask any CEO and she will tell you that an educated skilled workforce is crucial.  And who would leave 50% of the talent pool behind?  That's like boxing with one hand tied behind your back.  It might work if you are fighting against another one handed boxer, but it is a sure way to defeat if your opponent has both hands ready and able.
Health and nutrition are other success stories in the region; much of the gap, according to the World Economic Forum Gender Gap report 2010 shows countries in the region to have worked hard to ensure that girls and boys get similar levels of health care.  It is by no means perfect; few countries are.  But many best practices like conditional cash transfers to women for the health benefits for their children have worked magic.  Educating and keeping girls healthy are key drivers of preparing the soil for growth and prosperity.
Challenges do remain--economic participation and political involvement in the region are not fully engaged for women.  It is like the investing in health and educating is not yet producing full returns on the investment.  Some of this is cultural, with religious beliefs playing a part in what the proper role of women is.  Other is lack of opportunity, unfriendly workplace rituals for those with families.
Nevertheless, as I look at this vibrant region, I see many now embracing the notion that women can be an essential part of the puzzle, that they can be catalysts along with men for the continued trajectory of growth, sustainability, productivity and well-being of a crucial part of the world.  Sitting here in Brazil, it is easy to imagine a country full of potential, able to reach its potential because it believes that women have a birthright, as do men, to be part of the vibrancy and excitement of fulfilling that potential.

* Laura Liswood is the Secretary-General, Council of Women World Leaders and a member of the World Economic Forum Global Gender Parity Group and will be attending the World Economic Forum on Latin America from April 27-29.

Cf. também: "Latin America a Fascinating Arena for Looking at the Development of Women"