Policy ForumPromoting youth and female entrepreneuship: Evidence-based policy options

Research ForumGender analysis in economic research

It gives me immense pleasure to welcome you, on behalf of PEP, to the high-level Policy Forum on promoting youth and female entrepreneurship, organized as part of the 2017 PEP Annual Conference in Nairobi, Kenya. Bringing together researchers and policy actors, as well as representatives of key organizations including international NGOs, development partners, research and academic institutions, we look forward to valuable discussions on how research can inform policy on these key development issues.

The afternoon’s special Research Forum is also a must-attend event, highlighting the importance and challenges of incorporating gender analysis into research for development.

We look forward to a very interactive, productive and enjoyable day! Prof. Jane MariaraPEP Executive Director

Dr. Simon CarterRegional Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, IDRC, Kenya

Ms. Njambi Kinyungu Chef de Cabinet, Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Kenya

H.E. Sicily K. Kariuki (Mrs.), MBS, EGHCabinet Secretary, Ministry of Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs, Republic of Kenya

Prof. Michael ChegePublic Policy Consultant Kenya

Dr. Abdoulaye SeckAssociate Professor, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Senegal

Ms. Juliet SsekandiProgramme SpecialistUNICEF Uganda

Ms. Karin FuegDeputy Country DirectorUN Women, Kenya

Dr. Caroline KabiruResearch Scientist, African Population Health Research Centre, Inc., Kenya

Dr. James HeintzAndrew Glyn Professor of Economics, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA

Dr. Dileni GunewardenaProfessor of Economics, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

Dr. Arjan de HaanProgram Leader, Employment and Growth, Inclusive Economies, IDRC, Canada

Dr. Mustapha NabliChair, PEP Board of Directors Manager, North Africa Bureau of Economic Studies, Tunisia

Dr. Marie-Claude MartinMember, PEP Board of Directors Director, Special Initiatives, Fraser Mustard Institute for Human Development, Canada

Master of Ceremonies Moderator

Mr. Johnson Mwakazi The Royal Voice International

Programme June 14, 2017 Arrival of guests and registration

Welcome remarks and official opening Master of ceremonies Mr. Johnson Mwakazi, The Royal Voice InternationalWelcome remarks

Opening remarks

Official opening

Keynote address

Coffee/tea break and group photo

Policy forum

Lunch break

Research forum

Closing remarks

Coffee/tea break and departure

8:30 - 9:00

9:00 - 9:30

9:30 - 10:30

10:30 - 11:00

11:00 - 13:00

13:00 - 14:30

14:30 - 16:30

16:30-16:45

16:45

Prof. Jane Mariara, Executive Director, PEPDr. Mustapha Nabli, Chair, Board of Directors, PEP Dr. Simon Carter, Regional Director, Canada’s IDRCH.E. Amb. (Dr.) Amina C. Mohamed, EGH, CAVCabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of KenyaRepresented by: Ms. Njambi Kinyungu, Chef de Cabinet, Office of the Cabinet Secretary

H.E. Sicily K. Kariuki (Mrs.), MBS, EGH, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs, Republic of Kenya

What works and what do we not know concerning policies for youth and female entrepreneurship?

Guest speaker Prof. Michael Chege, Public Policy Consultant, Kenya

Promoting youth and female entrepreneurship: Evidence-based policy options

Moderator Mr. Johnson Mwakazi, The Royal Voice International

PanelDr. Abdoulaye Seck, Université Cheik Anta Diop, SenegalMs. Juliet Ssekandi, UNICEF, UgandaProf. Michael Chege, Public Policy Consultant, KenyaMs. Karin Fueg, Deputy Country Director, UN Women, Kenya

Gender analysis in policy research

ChairDr. Arjan de Haan, Program Leader, Inclusive Growth, IDRC

PanelDr. James Heintz, University of Massachussets Amherst, USA

• Gender analysis in policy research: importance, best practices and key challenges.

Dr. Dileni Gunewardena, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka• Gender analysis in quantitative research: need for

improvement and lessons from experiencesDr. Caroline Kabiru, African Population Health Research Centre, Inc

• The value of a mixed-method approach (quantitative and qualitative) to enhance gender analysis

Dr. Marie-Claude Martin, Board of Directors, PEP

Policy forumPromoting youth and female entrepreneurship: Evidence-based policy optionsIn developing countries, youth and women face particu-lar challenges to participating in labor markets. While the importance of youth participation to enhance a country’s prospects for the future of its economy is clear, a significant body of evidence also shows that economic development and female empowerment are closely related.

Labor market rigidities tend to exclude many low-skilled individuals, especially women and youth, forcing them into self-employment and restricting growth options for the corresponding economies. Inclusive growth strategies, therefore, need to include policies that support and facilitate the entrepreneurial activities of these marginalized groups.

A great number of research teams, supported under the PEP program for “Policy Analysis on Growth and Employment” between 2013 and 2016 and from all regions, chose to focus on issues and policies related to youth and/or female entrepreneurship. In most cases, their findings have already been used to inform policy decisions in their home countries.

Reflecting the fundamental nature of these issues for development and inclusive growth policies, PEP has invited a group of experts and policy actors to review the evidence from related research and discuss policy options to promote youth and female entrepreneurship. During this dialogue, attendees will seek to identify crucial knowledge gaps as well as ways to link research with policy agendas, needs and action.

Research forumGender analysis in policy research

Equality between men and women is more than a matter of social justice; it’s a fundamental human right. It also makes good economic sense: when women have equal access to education and participate fully in business and economic decision-making, they are a key driving force against poverty. To be effective, any agenda aimed at promoting socioeconomic development should endeavor to promote gender equality.

For development efforts to achieve general welfare improvement and positive change for women, local and national authorities, and policy advocates need evidence based on analysis that accounts for the differentiated outcomes between men and women and highlights the gendered dynamics at work behind these outcomes.

Gender analysis explores the differential social roles and treatments that explain the results – such as gender-related social inequalities, cultural and other discriminatory practices, and unjust power relations – as well as the motivations behind these trends. Gender analysis adds depth to research by incorporating a broader range of distributive dynamics and enriching the ways well-being is assessed.

In line with PEP’s commitment to integrating stronger gender analysis in the work it supports, this special research forum invites experts to share their views and experience related to gender analysis in develop-ment research. In particular, the session will guide researchers presenting new proposals for PEP support during the 2017 PEP Annual Conference on integrating gender considerations into their proposed research.