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The Women of Womble Bond Dickinson (WOW) hosted international economist Augusto Lopez-Claros as part of the firm-wide celebration of International Women’s Day and Women's History Month. Lopez-Claros, author of "Equality for Women = Prosperity for All", discussed his research which has shown that time and again, gender equality has led to economic prosperity in countries around the globe.
Lopez-Claros noted that most people look at women’s rights strictly as a human rights issues, but he clarified with the audience that it the presence or absence of women’s right can have far-reaching social, economic and political impacts on countries a human rights issue. Research collected shows that 90% of World Bank member countries as having have laws that discriminate against women. According to Lopez-Claros, “We pay a heavy price for not having women at the table.”
In her opening remarks, WOW leader Cathy Hinger highlighted Lopez-Claros's work as being heavily-back research, and she acknowledged that the firm's leadership was proud to contribute to the gender equality conversation and International Women’s Day by sharing Lopez-Claros's findings.
About Women of Womble Bond Dickinson
WOW is a network of women lawyers dedicated to supporting the professional success of one another through intentional acts of mentorship, collaboration, and sharing of opportunities.
About the Guest Speaker
Augusto Lopez-Claros is an economist at the World Bank currently on leave as a senior fellow at the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. From 2011-2017, he was the Director of the World Bank's Global Indicators Group which was responsible for the Bank’s Doing Business report and other international benchmarking studies such as Enabling the Business of Agriculture and Women, Business and the Law. Prior to the World Bank, Lopez-Claros was the Chief Economist and Director of the Global Competitiveness Program at the World Economic Forum in Geneva, Switzerland. Lopez-Claros has a degree in mathematical statistics from Cambridge University, England, and a Ph.D. in economics from Duke University.
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