About 500 political leaders and economists have gathered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, this week for the sixth African Development Forum, during which scores of speakers will discuss how to improve the lives of women across the continent. And, to that end, many are focusing on the relationship between gender equality and economic growth.

Speaking at the forum yesterday, African Union Commission chairman Jean Ping lamented the ongoing inequality, especially considering that AU members 30 years ago promised to fight gendered discrimination:

Over the three decades since convention on elimination of all forms of discrimination against women in 1979, a number of member states are still lagging in overcoming the challenges of gender-based discrimination and violence. This explains why we are here today: to fashion out more practical ways of overcoming these challenges.

Danish Development Minister Ulla Tornaes also took the stage, and stressed the benefits of involving women in production: "We know that economic growth and gender equality are closely related. More equality goes hand in hand with higher economic growth. Africa’s women are hitherto largely untapped source of economic potential. Properly harnessed, this resource can transform Africa and contribute to economic growth."

Speakers will also emphasize the importance of educating women and eradicating domestic violence.