G(irls)20 Summit Communiqué Released

The G(irls)20 Summit has released a communiqué following their May 24 – June 4, 2012 Summit. The Summit convened 21 representatives from the European Union (EU), the African Union (AU) and each G20 country. Each country delegate was a young woman between the ages of 18-20. This year, the Summit took place in Mexico City, Mexico, just two weeks ahead of the G20 Summit which will take place in Los Cabos, Mexico. The G20 Summit is an international forum which gathers the 19 country members and the European Union which constitute 90% of global GDP, 80% of global trade and two-thirds of the world’s population.

The G(irls) 20 Summit meeting agenda, which is based on G20 Summit agenda, allows for debate, discussion, and an exchange of ideas on how best to empower girls and women around the world. This year, the girls discussed economic challenges in their countries and innovative solutions to promote economic strength. The Summit also featured panel discussions, speakers, workshops on media relations and business planning, and discussion about building stronger economies.

The communiqué presents recommendations regarding agriculture and food security, and violence against women. Some recommendations specific to agriculture and food security include strategically engaging women by offering training in sustainable land cultivation, removing barriers to women’s land ownerships rights, restructuring subsidies programs to reduce dependence on them. The document addresses violence against women, by citing the large economic impact of women’s human capital, and includes recommendations to promote character-based education addressing violence prevention and stereotypes, and changes to policies and practices which hinder gender equality.

To access the communiqué, please click here.

Flickr photograph via Stuart Pinfold.