Women's Economic Growth
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Over 800 million women are economically active worldwide. |
Throughout the developing world, women are vital economic players, representing a larger percentage of the workforce than ever before. Over 800 million women are economically active worldwide, undertaking critical roles in industry, agriculture, manufacturing, and services, and as producers, traders, and owners and operators of micro- and small-enterprises.
Limited access to physical and financial resources, insufficient market knowledge, lack of skills and an absence of labor-saving
technologies seriously constrain the ability of women to effectively participate in economic growth.
Income in the hands of women has had a dramatic impact on the well-being of their families. Women spend a significantly higher proportion of their income on children's food, health, and education, ensuring that the next generation will have a better future.
--ICRW
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Systematic exclusion of individuals from resources, public services, or productive activities based on gender diminishes an economy's capacity to grow and to raise overall living standards.
Supporting projects and programs that expand women's economic opportunities is good development practice that will yield economic gains for women, households, and the economy. Promotion of the full participation of women and men in economic development and a greater understanding of the gender-based constraints to women's participation in economic activities are key activities of the Women in Development Office.
Economic growth activities include, but are not limited to,:
- Trade;
- Information technology;
- Agriculture; and
- Labor.
Current Activities
Greater Access to Trade Expansion (GATE) Program
Please see the Activity Archives for a list of completed Women's Economic Growth activities.
Key Publications
Gender Information Sources for Economic Growth/Trade-Related Activities11/1/2007 (80KB)
Gender Integration Strategies for Trade (GIST) Tables11/01/2007 (120KB)
Gender Terminology12/1/2007 (45KB)
Gender-Sensitive Indicators for Economic Growth/Trade-Related Activities11/1/2007 (66KB)
Women in the Economy: a Review of Recent Literature; Feb 2006 [PDF 626kb]
Enhancing Women's Access to Markets: An Overview of Donor Programs and Best Practices; October 2005 [PDF, 370kb]
Enhancing Women's Market Access and Promoting Pro-Poor Growth; 2005 [PDF 158kb]
Fact Sheet: Trade Liberalization, Economic Growth, and Gender; 2005 [PDF 96kb]
Full List of Publications
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