Economic empowerment is the capacity of women and men to participate in, contribute to and benefit from growth processes in ways that recognise the value of their contributions, respect their dignity and make it possible to negotiate a fairer distribution of the benefits of growth. Economic empowerment increases women’s access to economic resources and opportunities including jobs, financial services, property and other productive assets, skills development and market information.

 

Women's economic empowerment is a prerequisite for sustainable development and for achieving the Millennium Development Goals. And economic empowerment is also a right. There is no quick fix: women's economic empowerment  takes sound public policies, a holistic approach and long-term commitment from all development actors. Donors can also increase their investment.

 

Key documents

Issues paper on Women's Economic Empowerment (April 2011) (pdf, 1.13 KB)

Aid in Support of Women’s Economic Empowerment (pdf, 1.02 MB)

Practice notes on women’s economic empowerment, prepared by different GENDERNET members