Join us in the Solutions Session (Side-Event) "Decent work and employment opportunities: Action-oriented approaches to empower future generations of women and girls" at the second UN World Summit for Social Development, Doha Qatar (November 4-6, 2025)
Date: November 6, 2025 - 1:15 pm - 2:30 pm (Doha Time)
Venue: Room 1 (Exhibition Hall 5), Qatar National Convention Centre
Speakers:
Moderator/Opening remarks: Dr. Despoina Afroditi Milaki, UN Representative, International
Presentation Association
- H.E. Valérie Berset Bircher, State Secretary for Economic Affairs, Switzerland
- H.E. Cynthia Samuel-Olonjuwon, ILO Special Representative to the UN, New York
- Mr. Konstantinos Papadakis, Principal Social Affairs Officer, UN Department of Economic and
Social Affairs
- Mr. Roberto Bissio, Coordinator, Social Watch
-Ms Sylvia Beales Gelber, Founder Member, Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors
Closing remarks: Ms. Maria Fornella-Oehninger, UN Representative, Soroptimist Internationa
Background
The second UN World Summit for Social Development (WSS2) in Doha Qatar (November 4-6, 2025) will address decent work as a central aspect of social development, recognizing its importance for individual well-being, social contribution, and societal progress. It builds on the first World Summit for Social Development held 30 years ago in Copenhagen and aims to provide renewed momentum for social development in the context of the 2030 Agenda. The Summit will explore, inter alia, how to integrate social and economic policies to achieve full and productive employment and reduce inequalities.
The International Labor Organization (ILO) has recognized the importance of gender equality within its Decent Work Agenda. Governments, civil society organizations, employers' and workers' assocations work to promote decent work for all, with a strong emphasis on gender equality as a cross-cutting objective. Achieving gender equality in the world of work is vital for reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal 5 on gender equality and Goal 8 on decent work and economic growth.
Decent work for women encompasses fair wages, safe working conditions, and opportunities for economic advancement, among other things. Decent work provides women with financial independence and can lead to increased social and political participation, as women gain more voice and agency.
Ensuring access to education and training for women and girls, promoting women's entrepreneurship and advocating for the implementation of policies against workplace discrimination and harassment are among the action-oriented approaches that can empower future generations of women and girls. These strategies collectively foster an environment where women and girls can thrive in decent, sustainable employment.
The speakers and participants of the side-event will present national and community projects that invest in women’s economic empowerment and promote sustainable growth and development. The participants will further focus on exploring possible innovative partnerships between various stakeholders on action-oriented commitments.
The side-event is organized by: International Presentation Association | Soroptimist International | Swiss Confederation
And co-sponsored by: Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors (GCSPF) | NGO Committee for Social Development | NGO Committee on Financing for Development | International Association of Charities | UNANIMA International.
