The Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) is set to host an interactive webinar under the topic ‘Understanding Gender Balance and the cost of Exclusion to Growth and Development’ today (March 15).

Exploring this topic is of crucial relevance to Jamaica at this time; research from the McKinsey Global Institute found, that where the gender gap is not closed by 2025, it projects losses in the range of $12 trillion to $28 trillion of economic potential, which translates to approximately 11 per cent to 26 per cent of the global GDP.

The webinar will feature four local and international speakers, who are experts in the area of gender – Sharon Coburn-Robinson, principal director, Bureau of Gender Affairs, Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport; Nicole Pitter-Patterson, expert on inclusive finance, gender and trade; Carmen Neithammer, senior gender specialist, European Investment Bank; and Carol Watson-Williams, social research consultant, Jamaica. The webinar will be moderated by Deborah Newland, general manager, strategic services, DBJ, under whose portfolio the subject matter falls.

Jamaica’s international development partners – the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the European Union (EU) – have provided resources to transform Jamaica’s landscape as it relates to understanding, appreciating and commitment to inclusiveness. The webinar is the first of several initiatives that will be funded through resources from the international development partners.

Christopher Brown, programme manager, for the DBJ’s Boosting Innovation, Growth and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem (BIGEE) project, geared at building out sustainable robust entrepreneurial ecosystems, has given the project’s assurance to not only support this event, but to assist with future initiatives aligned with its objectives.

Newland gave insight on the purpose of the event.

“What we are aiming to do as the DBJ, is to ensure that everyone has a clear understanding of the importance of gender balance and the real costs to our economy and society where gender diversity, equity and inclusion is not embraced,” she said.

“In our discussions on Wednesday, we also aim to demystify any remaining myths or misconceptions around the topic of gender equality. We will be examining the realities Jamaica faces in relation to reaching Sustainable Development Goal 5.”

The DBJ is encouraging all Jamaicans to log on and participate in this webinar, as a tremendous amount of information and insights will be imparted. The webinar starts at 11:00 am and will be streamed through the DBJ’s YouTube and Facebook platforms.