On May 1st and 2nd, 2024, Harvard's Center for International Development (CID) in partnership with Harvard Kennedy School's Women and Public Policy Program (WAPPP) hosted the Global Empowerment Meeting 2024 (GEM24): Breaking Barriers for Women and Girls.
The Fireside Chat highlighted the need to prioritize gender equity in policy and practice, as well as how it is key to reshaping societies and creating inclusive economies. This interview with former prime ministers from West Africa and the Middle East reflected on their time in office and consider how they advocated for women and girls, barriers and obstacles they faced in advancing gender equity, and what, if anything, they would do differently if they had a chance to lead again.
Mr. Patrick Achi, Former Prime Minister, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire
Dr. Omar Al Razzaz, Former Prime Minister, Jordan