On July 14, 2023, the BRICS Women's Business Alliance in South Africa will host a debate dedicated to the topic of the political economy of gender in a multipolar world, the BRICS Gender Dividend debate. The event is expected to be attended by influential female political leaders, government officials, and economists (champions of gender equality and equity across BRICS and African nations).

The world has made unprecedented advances, but no single country has achieved gender equality. Legal restrictions have kept 2.7 billion women from having the same choice of jobs as men. Less than 25% of parliamentarians are women. One in three women experiences gender-based violence.

A final area of focus in attaining gender equality is women's economic and political empowerment. In this regard, the debate will cover key issues such as:

1. What revolutionary decisions, investments and measures of success have to be deployed by BRICS leaders to advance gender equity and equality for inclusive and thriving BRICS and African economies?

2. What policy reforms are required for BRICS and African nations to emerge as leaders in attaining Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals?

3. How will the changing face of BRICS and African political and economic landscape affect transforming industries to become gender neutral and inclusive?

4. What actions and commitments are required to break down the "cement" ceiling and activate gender lens investment for inclusive growth of BRICS and African economies?

5. Framing resolutions and proposing solutions towards achieving the BRICS needle on gender equality by 2030.

The BRICS Gender Dividend debate aims to consolidate deliberations into decisive and actionable resolutions that will influence and shape the eGoli BRICS Women Development Declaration. The declaration will be presented to the BRICS Head of States at the upcoming 2023 BRICS Summit, scheduled for August 24, 2023.

Accelerating Gender Equality and investing in empowerment generates large economic gains. No society can develop sustainably without transforming and amplifying the distribution of opportunities, resources, and choices for men and women so that they have equal power to shape their own lives and contribute to their families, communities, and countries.