The 20th three-day event, from May 20 to 22, was participated in by women in the government, women ministers/parliamentarians, business leaders/CEOs, executives, international agencies and women who are involved in various types of development in their respective countries.
Although Minister Faustina Rehuher-Marugg of Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs was not able to attend the summit this year because of lack of funds, she said, “It’s a summit that Palau needs to continue to be part of in the sense that it is mainstreaming women into economic development.”
This year, the minister just monitored the summit from afar. “I’m just being part of it from afar, trying to get a hold of the proceedings,” she said. She added that Sen. Regina Mesebeluu has been invited by the Summit President, Irene Natividad. And the minister was hoping that the Senator, who was out of the country, was able to attend the Summit because it was a good opportunity for Palau to network with other leaders around the world.
“In Palau, we’re looking at women in relation to preservation and promotion of our culture,” said the Minister. “But we are also looking at our women in terms of keeping up with the world, being part of the system. We need to make our young women be sensitive to gender issues so that young girls and boys will grow up believing that they can reach their dreams, that they can reach the sky if they really want to, regardless of their gender.”
The minister said that younger generations need to get education and develop their sense of self by becoming confident and secure. “I’d like to see women move on to become part of entrepreneurs in Palau,” she said.
The minister said her vision is to see young women in Palau become business partners and come up with new types of businesses, or create their own businesses, make money and employ people. “That’s why this whole gathering of women is important for us because we can learn from it.”
From Thursday to Saturday, the participants of the summit discussed ways of advancing women’s economic opportunities worldwide.
Many women in various economic sectors all over the world were invited to speak and share information before the summit. “We’re talking about women CEOs, the movers and shakers, women who are part of the global corporations,” said Minister Marugg. “These are women who made it and are willing to help other women make a difference.”
This year’s summit had the biggest number of participants. Minister Marugg said the last time she attended the meeting, there were only more than 200 delegates who participated.
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