No. CCXXIX; November 20, 2019
THIS ISSUE’S HIGHLIGHTS

I. UK BANS ADS WITH HARMFUL GENDER STEREOTYPES
II. THE APPLE CARD AND GENDER BIAS IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
III. INCREASE IN THE BUSINESS OF GLOBAL CHILD EXPLOITATION
IV. THE POWER WOMEN OF THAILAND: MEET KOBKARN WATTANAVRANGKUL

I. UK BANS ADS WITH HARMFUL GENDER STEREOTYPES

An advertisement juxtaposing male astronauts with a woman sitting next to a stroller and another depicting two hapless dads looking after young children were the first casualties of a British ban on gender stereotyping in advertising.  

In effect since June, new rules allow the U.K.’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) to ban ads depicting men and women engaged in gender-stereotypical activities to help stop “limiting how people see themselves and how others see them and the life decisions they take.” The rules also prohibit ads linking physique and body image to a successful romantic or social life.  

In announcing the guidelines, ASA Chief Executive Guy Parker said that gender stereotypes “can contribute to inequality in society, with costs for all of us. It’s in the interests of women and men, our economy and society that advertisers steer clear of these outdated portrayals.”

Similar rules have also been adopted in other countries, such as Belgium, France, Norway, South Africa, and India. Norway, for instance, has prohibited sexism in ads since 1978, while a 2004 law in Spain prohibits ads from showing degrading images of a woman’s body. (Washington Post, “Britain bans ads depicting harmful gender stereotypes,” 6/16/19 and The Guardian, “First ads banned for contravening UK gender stereotyping rules,” 8/14/1919)

The Global Summit of Women taking place in Bangkok, Thailand on April 23-25, 2020, will explore the responsibilities of corporations in marketing their products to female consumers in a session on “Responsible Advertising to Women of the 21^st Century.”  To see more topics addressed in this global gathering, see the full Summit program here.

II. THE APPLE CARD AND GENDER BIAS IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

The new Apple credit card ran into major problems earlier this month when users noticed that it was offering smaller lines of credit to women than to men. A Dutch entrepreneur instigated the uproar with a viral Tweet in which he shared that his wife had a credit line 20 times less than he did and was denied a credit line increase despite having a higher credit score than he had.  Apple and Goldman Sachs, the issuing bank for the credit card, have struggled to explain the discriminatory practices, citing the algorithm that makes the credit assessments.

With the spread of Artificial Intelligence and automation, more and more decisions are made by computers programmed predominantly by men, thereby reproducing biases. While the public has little information on how the algorithms operate, there is great potential for less favorable outcomes for women and minorities.

“Women tend to be better credit risks, says Aaron Klein, a Brookings Institution fellow. “So, giving men better terms of credit is both illegal and seems to be inconsistent with international experience.” (Washington Post, “Apple Card algorithm sparks gender bias allegations against Goldman Sachs,” 11/11/19)

Since its inception 30 years ago, the Global Summit of Women has regularly addressed what women in business need to know about new technologies, providing tools and advice for women to take advantage of emerging technologies.  At the 2019 Summit in Basel, Switzerland, the Summit explored “Using Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain for Business Growth.”  The 2020 Summit in Bangkok, Thailand continues to address technology tools with a plenary session on “The Opportunities and Challenges of Robotics.” 

Be a part of the Summit’s 30^th Anniversary in Bangkok on April 23-25, 2020.  Click here to Register Now.

III. INCREASE IN THE BUSINESS OF GLOBAL CHILD EXPLOITATION

Despite the 30th Anniversary of the signing of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child by 195 countries taking place this week, the business of global child exploitation has continued to increase. In the U.S., government investigators who uncover child exploitation initiated more than 4,000 cases around the world this past year, resulting in thousands of arrests and the identification of more than 1,000 victims. These totals represent a marked increase over previous years.

 While caseloads are growing due to the ease with which offenders can post graphic images online, the arrests are also up as a result of cooperation between countries in combatting child sex trafficking. A U.S. law signed by Pres. Barack Obama in 2016, for instance, mandates notification when registered sex offenders travel, giving countries a heads-up, particularly in locations where child sex tourism and abuse are rampant. (Washington Post, “Data shows upswing in child exploitation cases,” November 14, 2019).  

In addition to government actions, the private sector also plays a role in reducing child exploitation.  Recognizing the potential of the business community to add to efforts to halt child trafficking, the 2020 Global Summit of Women addresses the topic with a session on “Business Performance with Purpose: Curtailing Violence Against Women and Girls. ” This session will feature business leaders involved in combating gender-based violence and present a framework for responsible business conduct.  “It should be noted that the trafficking of minors – girls and boys – is a thriving global business that must be curtailed, which is why this business forum for women must address this growing problem worldwide,” states Summit President Irene Natividad.

To see more topics addressed in this global gathering, see the full Summit program here.

IV. THE POWER WOMEN OF THAILAND: MEET KOBKARN WATTANAVRANGKUL

Thailand, with its wealth of women leading companies, is the proud host of the 2020 Global Summit of Women on April 23-25, 2020.  Comprising 40% of CEOs of Thai companies, women lead companies across all the major industries.  To hear from one of the power women of Thailand, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Chairperson of Toshiba Thailand Co., Ltd., former Minister of Tourism and Sports, and Chair of Thailand’s Host Committee for the 2020 Summit, click the video below.

30^th Anniversary Memories of the
Global Summit of Women

As part of the Global Summit of Women’s 30^th Anniversary in 2020, past participants have an opportunity to share their memories of the Summit and what the Summit means to them.  Throughout the year, the Summit will be collecting photos and testimonials from the thousands of women who have joined in this global gathering over the past 30 years.  

To share your Summit experiences with others, please click here

Registration is now Open!

2020 Global Summit of Women

Bangkok, Thailand

April 23-25

Register Before December 9, 2019 to be automatically entered to win this beautiful S’uvimol bag!

www.globewomen.org/globalsummit

Thai delegates to 2019 Global Summit of Women in Basel, Switzerland invite you to 2020 Summit in Bangkok.

2020 GLOBAL SUMMIT OF WOMEN
BANGKOK, THAILAND
APRIL 23-25, 2O20

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