Sort by:
Showing all content in Womens Economic Empowerment
-
Blog post
India's Union Budget 2022: Are women’s needs prioritised?
The COVID-19 pandemic has simultaneously exposed and worsened many pre-existing barriers to achieving gender equality. As women face disproportionate risks to their livelihoods and economic security, policy provisions have yet to sufficiently address their needs. Ahead of the Union Budget 2022, I address the pandemic’s impacts on women and propose necessary budget...
-
Project
Inclusive international trade: Assisting female-led firms in export development
While many lower- and middle-income countries aim to grow and diversify their exports, enabling small and medium sized firms to export and enter global value chains remains a key challenge. This is particularly true for female-led firms, which only compose 5-10% of all firms in the MENA region and overall less than 20% in other parts of the Global South. So far, there is...
-
Event
COVID-19 vs the ultra-poor graduation approach: Evidence from Bangladesh
https://youtu.be/toqyRSgUfZk You can also listen to the audio event recording here (audio begins at 6.20): IGC Admin · COVID-19 vs the ultra-poor graduation approach: Evidence from Bangladesh The poorest and the most vulnerable households in low-income countries have been hit hardest by COVID-19. In Bangladesh, an additional 22.9% of the population fell below...
-
Blog post
India’s rising unpaid care crisis: Prioritising social protection investments for inclusive economic growth
With India performing dismally in the domain of care work, and the pandemic having worsened the care crisis due to school and child care centre closures, along with mounting domestic work, it is imperative for policy responses to recognise and address the disproportionate burden of care on women. Low female labour force participation rates are a direct manifestation of this...
-
Publication - Policy Brief
Gender, social change, and urbanisation in North India
In the coming years, India will seek to reap the benefits of a demographic dividend that will maximise the growth potential of its economy. However, this potential dividend will likely be squandered if half of the country’s population—namely women—face continued steep barriers to social and economic empowerment. This study examines how gender, urbanisation, and...
-
Blog post
Women and work: How much does measurement matter?
Female labour force participation in India has been on the decline – dropping from an already low 29% in 2004-05 to 17% in 2017-18. However, the extent of women’s economic participation depends on how it is measured, and who is doing the measuring. In this context, this article uses survey data from four north Indian urban clusters, to demonstrate the role of instrument...
-
Blog post
Leaders and citizens: Women’s political participation in India
Women’s political participation has emerged as a key element of the discourse around the upcoming state elections in India. In this post, Nalini Gulati and Ella Spencer explore the evidence on various aspects of women’s political engagement in the country – representation in government, women as political leaders, and women as active citizens. According to the WEF...
-
Blog post
Building back better: Fostering gender equality in Bangladeshi readymade garment industry
Post-COVID-19 recovery in one of Bangladesh’s largest industries could lead to increased inclusivity thanks to external market pressures. Editor's note: This blog is part of our International Women's Day campaign and contains findings from this IGC project. In Bangladesh, inclusive and resilient employment generation has received considerable policy focus as a...
-
Blog post
Women's employment during the pandemic in Ghana: A tale of vulnerability and resilience
Women have traditionally been more vulnerable in the labour market, more underrepresented and the nature of their employment less secure. While the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures to contain it hit women's employment the hardest, they were also the more resilient and rebounded much faster than men. Editor’s note: This article is part of our International Women’s...
-
Blog post
Barriers faced by women in labour market participation: Evidence from Pakistan
Data from a job-matching service in Pakistan reveals differences in how men and women search for jobs, and lends insight into the barriers women face in labour market participation. Editor’s note: This article is part of our International Women’s Day campaign and is based on this IGC project. At 22%, Pakistan has one of the lowest female labour force participation...