Business fights Poverty
Global EQUITY
5 – 6 March 2025
Online | London | NAIROBI
RESOURCES
AGENDA
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Advancing Fairness, Opportunity, and Resilience for Business and Society.
As we mark 30 years since the landmark Beijing Declaration on advancing women’s rights and look ahead to International Women’s Day, join us for the Global Equity Summit—our flagship gathering of leaders from business, civil society, and government.
Together, we’ll explore practical solutions that expand opportunity, strengthen resilience, and drive long-term success for business and society.
RESOURCES
How can we Advance Outcome-Based Finance for Social Impact?
Read more . . .
The carbon market is the most established platform for outcome-based finance, with buyers purchasing carbon credits. Join us to explore the potential for leveraging outcome-based finance to increase investment in sectors that deliver women’s equality and other social and environmental impacts. This session will draw on the latest report from the International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, which investigated how outcome-based finance can facilitate funding for clean cooking, distributed renewable energy, and small-scale agribusiness.
The carbon market is the most established platform for outcome-based finance, with buyers purchasing carbon credits. Join us to explore the potential for leveraging outcome-based finance to increase investment in sectors that deliver women’s equality and other social and environmental impacts. This session will draw on the latest report from the International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, which investigated how outcome-based finance can facilitate funding for clean cooking, distributed renewable energy, and small-scale agribusiness.
6 March | Online, London, Nairobi
How can businesses and NGOs partner to help smallholder farmers tackle the intersections of climate change and gender inequality?
Read more . . .
Join this session to explore how to optimise the outcomes of smallholder farmer initiatives for business and society. This interactive dialogue will explore how to design gender transformative programmes at the intersection between climate change and inequality that support shared resilience and growth. Diageo and CARE will share honest insights from their collaboration with smallholder farmers, grounding the discussion in their latest case study and practical experiences.
Join this session to explore how to optimise the outcomes of smallholder farmer initiatives for business and society. This interactive dialogue will explore how to design gender transformative programmes at the intersection between climate change and inequality that support shared resilience and growth. Diageo and CARE will share honest insights from their collaboration with smallholder farmers, grounding the discussion in their latest case study and practical experiences.
6 March | Online, London, Nairobi
How can we report on women’s equality in the new and evolving EU regulatory landscape?
Read more . . .
Join the FCDO’s Word and Opportunities for Women Programme to explore how companies can report on women’s economic empowerment activities within the landscape of current and emerging EU sustainability reporting regulations. A panel of experts will share insights from WOW’s recent analysis on how gender-focused activities can be reported in line with regulations such as CSRD, CSDDD, SFRD and EUDR. In breakout groups, attendees will then be able to discuss their experience of these regulations, and the challenges they have faced from a gender-reporting perspective.
Join the FCDO’s Word and Opportunities for Women Programme to explore how companies can report on women’s economic empowerment activities within the landscape of current and emerging EU sustainability reporting regulations. A panel of experts will share insights from WOW’s recent analysis on how gender-focused activities can be reported in line with regulations such as CSRD, CSDDD, SFRD and EUDR. In breakout groups, attendees will then be able to discuss their experience of these regulations, and the challenges they have faced from a gender-reporting perspective.
6 March | Online, London, Nairobi
How Can Business Expand Opportunity and Fairness in the Workplace and Beyond?
Read more . . .
Thirty years after the Beijing Declaration, progress on women’s equality remains uneven, and broader inequities persist for racial and ethnic groups, people with disabilities, and other underrepresented communities. As businesses navigate evolving expectations, how can they sustain efforts that create value for business, employees, and society? This session will explore lessons learned, practical approaches, and partnerships that can help businesses foster long-term success while advancing fairness and opportunity for all.
Thirty years after the Beijing Declaration, progress on women’s equality remains uneven, and broader inequities persist for racial and ethnic groups, people with disabilities, and other underrepresented communities. As businesses navigate evolving expectations, how can they sustain efforts that create value for business, employees, and society? This session will explore lessons learned, practical approaches, and partnerships that can help businesses foster long-term success while advancing fairness and opportunity for all.
5 March | Online
How Can Collaboration Drive Fair Pay for Women in the Garment Sector?
Read more . . .
Gain an insider’s perspective on a pilot project which collected wage data and measured gender pay gaps in garment supply chains. Join us to hear from Primark and the Fair Labor Association as they discuss the challenges, key lessons, and successes from this pioneering initiative. Learn practical strategies for identifying gender pay gaps and pursuing living wages for all factory workers.
Gain an insider’s perspective on a pilot project which collected wage data and measured gender pay gaps in garment supply chains. Join us to hear from Primark and the Fair Labor Association as they discuss the challenges, key lessons, and successes from this pioneering initiative. Learn practical strategies for identifying gender pay gaps and pursuing living wages for all factory workers.
5 March | Online
How Can Business Build the Bridges to a Fairer, More Resilient Future?
Read more . . .
To tackle today’s biggest challenges, companies must break silos, align priorities, and connect with those most affected. This session explores five critical bridges businesses must build to unlock both commercial and social value—helping to drive systemic change while strengthening long-term business resilience. Join us to co-create solutions for 2045 and beyond.
To tackle today’s biggest challenges, companies must break silos, align priorities, and connect with those most affected. This session explores five critical bridges businesses must build to unlock both commercial and social value—helping to drive systemic change while strengthening long-term business resilience. Join us to co-create solutions for 2045 and beyond.
5 March | Online
Agenda
WEDNESDAY 5TH March
12.30pm GMT / 7.30am EST | COMMUNITY FORUM: FAIRNESS & OPPORTUNITY AT WORK & BEYOND
How Can Business Expand Opportunity and Fairness in the Workplace and Beyond?
Thirty years after the Beijing Declaration, progress on women’s equality remains uneven, and broader inequities persist for racial and ethnic groups, people with disabilities, and other underrepresented communities. As businesses navigate evolving expectations, how can they sustain efforts that create value for business, employees, and society? This session will explore lessons learned, practical approaches, and partnerships that can help businesses foster long-term success while advancing fairness and opportunity for all.
Location: ONLINE (75 mins)
12.30pm GMT | 7.30am EST | 3.30pm EAT
SPEAKERS:
See the full list of named contributors here.
INCLUDES PRIVATE PEER CIRCLES (By Invitation):
How Can We Unlock the Full Potential of Refugee Entrepreneurs in Europe?
Hosted with Visa
Refugee entrepreneurs bring innovation and resilience to local economies, yet they face significant barriers to success. How can businesses, financial institutions, and policymakers work together to create a more supportive environment? This exclusive peer-circle discussion will shape an action plan by Visa to foster refugee entrepreneurship and inform a new report launching on World Refugee Day. Join leaders from finance, humanitarian organisations, and business to exchange insights and drive meaningful solutions.
How Can Businesses Navigate the DEI Pushback While Advancing Fairness and Opportunity?
Amid growing scrutiny and debate around DEI, companies face challenges in maintaining their commitments while ensuring broad support. How can businesses design and communicate initiatives that uphold fairness and opportunity in the workplace? This session will explore practical strategies to sustain impact, build consensus, and navigate shifting expectations.
1.45pm GMT / 8.45am EST | FIRESIDE CHAT: FAIR PAY FOR WOMEN IN THE GARMENT SECTOR
How Can Collaboration Drive Fair Pay for Women in the Garment Sector?
Hosted with Primark
Gain an insider’s perspective on a pilot project which collected wage data and measured gender pay gaps in garment supply chains. Join us to hear from Primark and the Fair Labor Association as they discuss the challenges, key lessons, and successes from this pioneering initiative. Learn practical strategies for identifying gender pay gaps and pursuing living wages for all factory workers.
Location: ONLINE (45 mins)
1.45pm GMT | 8.45am EST | 4.45pm EAT
SPEAKERS:
Frances Goodwin, Living Wage Lead, Primark
Tiffany Rogers, Director, Innovation and Development, Manufacturing, Fair Labor Association
Kanai Sarker, Group Director, Modele De Capital Ind Ltd
Suranga Madawala, Head of Merchandising and Supply Chain, Modele De Capital Ind Ltd
Arup Kumar Saha, DGM (Admin, HR & Compliance), Modele De Capital Ind Ltd
INTERVIEWER:
Annabel Beales, Collaboration Lead, Business Fights Poverty
2.30pm GMT / 9.30am EST | NETWORKING SESSION
Join us for the opportunity to connect with your peers and build new relationships.
Location: ONLINE (30 mins)
2.30pm GMT | 9.30am EST | 5.30pm EAT
3.00pm GMT / 10.00am EST | ONLINE WORKSHOP: BRIDGES TO A FAIRER, MORE RESILIENT FUTURE
How Can Business Build the Bridges to a Fairer, More Resilient Future?
To tackle today’s biggest challenges, companies must break silos, align priorities, and connect with those most affected. This session explores five critical bridges businesses must build to unlock both commercial and social value—helping to drive systemic change while strengthening long-term business resilience. Join us to co-create solutions for 2045 and beyond.
Location: ONLINE (90 mins)
3.00pm GMT | 10.00am EST | 6.00pm EAT
SPEAKERS:
Jane Nelson, Founding Director, Corporate Responsibility Initiative, Harvard Kennedy School
Hamzah Sarwar, Global Head of Social Impact and Innovation, Reckitt
Natasha Kwakwa, Global Head, Community Impact, Standard Chartered
Bartol Letica, Senior Financial Sector Specialist, International Finance Corporation
MODERATOR:
Zahid Torres-Rahman, Co-Founder and CEO, Business Fights Poverty
THURSDAY 6th March
12:30pm GMT / 3.30pm EAT | HYBRID WORKSHOP: FINANCE FOR WOMEN’S EQUALITY & CLIMATE
How Can Outcome-Based Finance Drive Business Value While Advancing Women’s Equality and Climate Action?
Hosted with IFC
Outcome-based finance is unlocking investment for high-impact projects in clean cooking, renewable energy, and agribusiness. But how can we expand engagement beyond impact investors and governments to include businesses seeking both financial and social returns? This session will explore the business case for outcome-based finance, emerging models, and strategies to scale investment that delivers social, environmental, and commercial benefits.
Location: ONLINE | LONDON | NAIROBI (75 mins)
12.30pm GMT | 7.30am EST | 3.30pm EAT
SPEAKER:
Franziska Deininger, Climate Lead – Gender & Economic Inclusion Department, International Finance Corporation
Named Contributors:
Magda Banasiak, Director Development & Partnerships (Global), Head of Government Partnerships, Acumen
Eve Kerubo, Head of the Children’s Impact Multiplier Fund, Save the Children Global Ventures (SCGV)
Chloe Eddleston, Regional Lead for East Africa, Social Finance International
Alexandra Blain, RSE: Structuration de contrats à impact, BNP Paribas
Emily Gustafsson-Wright, Senior Fellow – Global Economy and Development, Center for Universal Education Brookings Institute
Nisha Singh, Gender Advisor, CGAP, World Bank
Michael Mullan, Programme Lead, Climate Adaptation Finance & Investment, OECD
Manuela Fritzsch, Head of Relationship Management, Impact & ESG, Tilt
Jeannette Gurung, Founder and Executive Director of the Women Organising for Change in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management (WOCAN), WBCSD
1:45pm GMT / 4.45am EAT | FIRESIDE CHAT: FARMERS, CLIMATE CHANGE AND INEQUALITY
How can businesses and NGOs partner to help smallholder farmers tackle the intersections of climate change and gender inequality?
Hosted with Diageo
Join this session to explore how to optimise the outcomes of smallholder farmer initiatives for business and society. This interactive dialogue will explore how to design programmes at the intersection between climate change and gender inequality that support shared resilience and growth. Diageo and CARE will share honest insights from their collaboration with smallholder farmers, grounding the discussion in their latest case study and practical experiences.
Location: ONLINE | LONDON | NAIROBI (45 mins)
1.45pm GMT | 8.45am EST | 4.45pm EAT
SPEAKERS:
Amanda Smith, Global Head of Social Impact, Diageo
Thomas Ongogo, Program Manager, CARE International
Amayaa Wijesinghe, Climate and Resilience Advisor, CARE International UK
INTERVIEWER:
Katie Hyson, Director of Thought Leadership, Business Fights Poverty
2:30pm GMT / 5.30pm EAT | NETWORKING SESSION
Join us for the opportunity to connect with your peers and build new relationships.
Location: ONLINE | LONDON | NAIROBI (30 mins)
2.30pm GMT | 9.30am EST | 5.30pm EAT
3.00pm GMT / 6.00pm EAT | HYBRID WORKSHOP: WOMEN’S EQUALITY & EU REGULATIONS
How Can We Report on Women’s Equality in the New and Evolving EU Regulatory Landscape?
Hosted with Work and Opportunities for Women (WOW), a programme of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
Join the FCDO’s Work and Opportunities for Women Programme to explore how companies can report on women’s economic empowerment activities within the landscape of current and emerging EU sustainability reporting regulations. A panel of experts will share insights from WOW’s recent analysis on how gender-focused activities can be reported in line with regulations such as CSRD, CSDDD, SFRD and EUDR. In breakout groups, attendees will then be able to discuss their experience of these regulations, and the challenges they have faced from a gender-reporting perspective.
Location: ONLINE | LONDON | NAIROBI (90 mins)
3.00pm GMT | 10.00am EST | 6.00pm EAT
WELCOME AND OPENING:
Zahid Torres-Rahman, Co-Founder and CEO, Business Fights Poverty
Claire Innes, Deputy Director, Head of Economic Growth Department, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
SETTING THE SCENE:
Eloise Conley, Senior Sustainability Associate, PwC
SPEAKERS:
Richard Barker, Board Member, International Sustainability Standards Board
Martin Ochien’g, Group Managing Director, Sasini plc
Sophie Elmhirst, Sustainability Manager, PwC
MODERATION:
Hester le Roux, Business Engagement Lead, Work and Opportunities for Women Programme (WOW)
CLOSING:
Zahid and Yvette Torres-Rahman, Founders, Business Fights Poverty
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