A researcher in NUI Galway’s Centre for Global Women’s Studies has been selected to take part in the 7th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings on Economic Sciences. Dr Mrinal Chada will highlight the costs of violence against women and the need for policy change on the issue.
The 7th Lindau Meeting on Economic Sciences will bring together young economists and Laureates of the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel on Lake Constance in August 2022.
The Lindau scientific forum is normally held every three years to foster the exchange of ideas between different generations, cultures, and disciplines from all over the world.
An expert in feminist and development economics, Dr Chadha was nominated by the School of Political Science and Sociology and recommended by the Irish Research Council. He is one of 373 young economists from 60 countries who have been selected to take part.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has only exacerbated violence against women and girls, especially domestic violence," Dr Chadha said. "With my work, I aim to highlight the economic costs of this violence, with the ultimate goal of policy changes to positively impact the lives of women.
“While humanity has evolved over thousands of years, our society still hasn’t given women what they deserve, which is an equal status with men. I hope to use the opportunity at Lindau to share my ideas and evidence for much needed change.”
The Lindau Meeting on Economic Sciences was originally scheduled to take place last summer. It has been postponed until 2022 due to the impact of Covid-19.
Dr Chadha added: “Beyond gender-based violence, I am also a passionate advocate of reducing inequality in the world which has worsened due to the pandemic. While high income countries have the resources to fight this pandemic and provide necessary supports to their citizens, most low income countries don’t.
“High income countries have a responsibility to provide much larger supports to low income countries, compared to what they are currently providing. I hope to collaborate on this with fellow young economists in Lindau.”
