Executive Summary of The South Asian Women’s Conference 2024

The South Asian Women’s Conference 2024 focused on helping women in South Asia become economically stronger by using digital technology. Organized by IDI, SWAN, and T-HELP, the conference focused on how we can boost women’s roles in the economy, especially in rural tourism.

The key themes of the event included supporting women-led small businesses, closing the digital gap to give women better access to technology and markets, and improving financial inclusion for women. The discussions also tapped into the challenges women face in starting businesses, particularly in rural areas and the tourism sector, and looked at ways to improve their access to finance. There was a strong emphasis on the need for policy changes to remove barriers that limit women’s economic opportunities.

Throughout the conference, a strong agreement on the necessity of ongoing cooperation between governments, businesses, and nonprofits was stressed. This collaborative approach is essential for finding effective solutions and ensuring sustainable economic growth for women in South Asia. The event underscored the need for a concerted effort to use digital tools to connect women to the global market, enhance their financial and digital skills, and support them through continuous education and development programs.

Major outcomes from the conference included a commitment to leveraging digital technology to empower women economically, improving their digital and financial literacy, and advocating for supportive policies. The event reinforced the importance of a collaborative approach to achieving gender equality and economic inclusion, aligning with broader goals of sustainable development. The conference ended with a clear agreement that ongoing cooperation between governments, businesses, and nonprofits is essential to finding effective solutions. Key outcomes included a commitment to use digital tools to connect women to the global market, enhance their financial and digital skills, and support them through education and targeted skill development. The event highlighted the importance of a collaborative approach to achieve sustainable economic growth for women in South Asia, aligning with broader goals of gender equality and economic inclusion.