Roundtable | Conversations with Naila Kabeer | REVERSED REALITIES at 30

In honour of the esteemed contribution of work by Naila Kabeer to the fields of international development and feminist economics, this event provides an opportunity to take stock of how consideration of gender in development has evolved over the past three decades. We also explore new avenues of action going forward toward a future where women and men enjoy equal rights and opportunities.
Welcome remarks
Claire Somerville, Executive Director, Gender Centre, the Geneva Graduate Institute
Opening remarks
Caroline Dommen, Managing Director, IAFFE
Discussants
Shahra Razavi, Director of the Social Protection Department, ILO
Magdalena Sepúlveda, Executive Director, GI-ESCR
Closing remarks
Francisco Cos-Montiel, Senior Research Coordinator, Gender Justice and Development Programme, UNRISD
Event Highlights
Recognizing Naila Kabeer's impact
The event celebrated Kabeer's influential contributions to gender-focused development policies, highlighting her extensive research and long-term collaboration with organizations such as the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD). Kabeer's work has been instrumental in addressing and challenging entrenched gender biases within development policy, advocating for more inclusive and equitable approaches.
Catalyzing conversations on gender bias
The foundational ideas of Reversed Realities served as a catalyst for examining enduring gender biases in development policy, with engaging conversations on both historical and contemporary challenges. Kabeer emphasized the critical need for grassroots movements and community-level activism in driving policy change. She stated, “There is no political will for change [among the richest], so we have to build a popular will from the bottom up.”
Building momentum for change
Kabeer elaborated on the significance of empowering local communities and fostering collective action to create momentum for sustainable and meaningful change. Despite political inertia, she argued that by mobilizing grassroots efforts, it is possible to achieve substantial policy reforms that address gender inequalities effectively.
Exploring new avenues for action and future directions
The event also highlighted Kabeer's collaborative work with various organizations, emphasizing the importance of joint efforts in advancing gender-focused development policies. Looking ahead, the discussions pointed toward the necessity of continued research, advocacy, and community engagement to overcome gender biases and promote social justice. Participants identified new avenues for action, reinforcing the collective commitment to achieving gender equality and addressing the systemic barriers that hinder women's advancement.