International Women's Day Forum
In partnership with the U.S. Department of State, this forum offers robust networking opportunities, thought-provoking discussions, and actionable strategies to drive progress.
At the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, we harness the power of business to create solutions for the good of America and the world. In celebration of Women’s History Month, we gather leaders from across sectors to discuss solutions powered by the business community and its partners that touch the lives of women and children across the world, from humanitarian assistance and access to health services to workplace wellness programs and the development of future leaders.
Past Sessions
Insights
Explore key takeaways on global markets, financial resilience, and leadership development from our International Women's Day Forum, where cross-sector leaders shared strategies for economic impact in today's complex business landscape.
Synchrony's Catherine Dolsen explains how a data-driven approach to credit decisioning is key to responsibly expanding credit access to more people and why that's so important.
2024 Highlights
- Corporate Social Responsibility
Shaping the Future of Women's LeadershipWhile the U.S. has seen the number of women in the C-suite increase over the last few years, progress for women at the manager and director levels has been slow.
48:35
Powerful women from the fast-changing workforce joined us for insightful discussions on utilizing the full potential of women and girls and strengthening their careers.
Elise Awwad, President and CEO of DeVry University, is a lifelong learner and passionate leader, championing education as a tool for challenging societal norms and achieving economic mobility, especially for women.
Explore Past IWD Forums
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Latest Content
More women than ever are starting their own businesses today — and yet, only about one-third of businesses across the globe were owned by women as of 2020, according to World Bank Gender Data. That’s because, despite the surge in new startups founded by women, female entrepreneurs still face certain barriers to growth at higher rates than their male counterparts, including a lack of access to capital and reduced availability of working hours due to pandemic-related challenges like affordable childcare.
Across the country, businesses of all sizes are doubling down on their commitments to more diverse and inclusive hiring practices. This is especially true in industries like the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, mathematics), where women have been and continue to be underrepresented in the workforce.
For women to experience greater equality and more economic opportunities, it’s important that they have access to networks and programs specifically designed to support and empower women and the communities they belong to. One such initiative is The Global Women in Management (GWIM) program, a partnership between Counterpart International and ExxonMobil designed to develop the management and leadership potential of female professionals worldwide.
For the first time in history, more than 10% of Fortune 500 companies are now led by women CEOs, according to January 2023 data from Fortune. This shift is indicative of an overall change in women’s participation in the workforce in recent decades, in which women are changing jobs more frequently than their male counterparts and at the highest rates of all time.
There’s no question that empowering women to participate in their local, national, and global economies can have a positive overall impact. Statistics show that greater equality in education, workforce opportunities, and entrepreneurship can lead to improved business outcomes and stronger, more inclusive economic growth.
Check out conversations from thought leaders and executives on female leadership and activism, along with discussions on everyday issues that many women face, such as navigating work while seeking eldercare and childcare support, as well as experiencing full inclusion and equity in the workplace.