Understanding and measuring WEE: Definition, framework, and indicators – ICRW (2018)

>>> Read the full resource

 

ICRW, 2018 – 12 pages

This document is intended as a conceptual guide, rather than an operational toolkit. Economic empowerment is a complex process, and the general framework presented here will have to be adapted to meet the needs of specific projects. This document presents:

  • A definition of women’s economic empowerment.
  • A measurement framework that can guide the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs to economically empower women.
  • A set of illustrative indicators that can serve as concrete examples for developing meaningful metrics for success.

Beyond Income: A critical analysis of agency measurement in economic programming – MDF (2018)

>>> Read the full resource

 

MDF, 2018 – 58 pages

MDF has created a practical framework that measures and monitors women’s access and agency, both of which are key indicators of WEE. Access is defined as a women’s ability to access economic resources and information, while Agency is the ability to make decisions and act on economic opportunities. Within the report six dimensions of WEE are examined:

  • influence on social norms
  • economic advancement
  • decision-making
  • functions and workloads
  • access to opportunities
  • access to assets and services

Incubate, Invest, Impact. Building and Investing in High-Impact Enterprises for Empowering Women and Girls – GIZ (2014)

>>> Read the full resource

 

GIZ, 2014 – 92 pages

This study explores how the social entrepreneurship ecosystem can unite to develop an action plan on gender lens incubation and investing for enterprises focused on the low-income market segment in India. An analytical framework to identify high impact enterprises that promote gender equality and women’s and girl’s empowerment is put forward in the study. Challenges and related solutions are highlighted for these high impact businesses that empower women and girls, which will need to be addressed by the broader ecosystem if they are to achieve their potential for transformative change. While this study goes beyond the assumption that high impact enterprises for empowering women and girls are only those that are owned and led by women, it does consider the gender-specific barriers that need to be overcome for a woman entrepreneur or business leader.

The Global Landscape of Gender Lens Investing – Intellecap (2019)

>>> Read the full resource

 

Intellecap, 2019 – 52 pages

This report provides a comprehensive overview of gender lens investing – defined as an investing approach to promote social and/or economic empowerment of women, in addition to financial returns. It presents the landscape of gender lens investing and analyses strategies used by gender lens investors across the globe. In doing so, it also examines ways in which businesses promote the social and economic empowerment of women and correlates investment strategies. The report studies patterns and draws insights about the evolution of the strategies, the financial instruments used in adopting them and regions where they are implemented.

 

Guidance for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Monitoring and Mitigation within Non-GBV Focused Sectoral Programming – Care (2014)

>>> Read the full resource

 

Care, 2014 – 32 pages

This document aims to address the increasing demand for clear guidance on how to practically and ethically monitor and mitigate GBV within non-emergency, international development programming, in which GBV is not a specific programmatic component. Specifically, it provides recommendations for preventing and/or responding to unintentional risk, threat, or violence against individuals related to programmatic interventions. These recommendations describe ways to take stock of the programmatic environment regarding GBV in general, as well as targeted suggestions on how to track GBV-related incidents and issues throughout the programme cycle.

Toolkit for Integrating Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response into Economic Growth Projects – USAID (2014)

>>> Read the full resource

 

USAID, 2014 – 82 pages

This practical toolkit describes and explains linkages between WEE and GBV. It offers background and practical guidance on how to address GBV in economic growth and trade projects across the programme cycle. The toolkit covers four overarching themes:

  • How and why economic growth projects can play a critical role in addressing GBV.
  • How GBV can affect and undermine the outcomes of economic growth projects.
  • Different contexts to consider when integrating GBV prevention and response into economic growth projects.
  • Practical ideas and strategies for integrating GBV prevention and response into economic growth projects.

Main takeaways include:

  • Engage the technical support of a specialist in GBV prevention and response.
  • Conduct gender analysis and GBV risk assessment to avoid harm.
  • Elevate women and girls as leaders and agents of change in programming and policy.
  • Engage men as allies in GBV prevention and response in projects intended for women’s economic advancement.

Engaging and Working with Men: Programme insights and key considerations for the agricultural sector – USAID (2016)

>>> Read the full resource

 

USAID, 2016 – 8 pages

This technical brief focuses on how to engage men in WEE programmes. It presents guidance on the effective engagement of men in programming to achieve WEE and gender equality outcomes in the agricultural sector using a market systems approach. The brief establishes five key considerations for this engagement:

  • Help men identify and act as allies
  • Address gender directly
  • Work through cooperation, not only through isolation
  • Amplify the influence of role models
  • Do no harm

Addressing Gender-Based Violence and Harassment (GBVH): Emerging good practice for the private sector – CDC, EBRD & IFC (2020)

>>> Read the full resource

 

CDC, EBRD, and IFC, 2020 – 96 pages

Addressing GBVH in the private sector is a relatively new and complex area. This guidance note outlines emerging practices in addressing GBVH in operations, projects, and investments. These practices are drawn from recent experience in the private sector, as well as a larger body of work from the non-profit sector. The guidance is organised into seven sections:

  • Addressing GBVH
  • The business case for addressing GBVH
  • Overarching principles in addressing GBVH
  • Assessing GBVH risks, company capacity and resources
  • Preventing GBVH and encouraging reporting
  • Responding to reports of GBVH
  • Monitoring GBVH

How Do Intra-household Dynamics Change When Assets Are Transferred to Women? Evidence from BRAC’s “Targeting the Ultra Poor” Programme in Bangladesh – IFPRI & ILRI (2013)

>>> Read the full resource

 

IFPRI and ILRI, 2013 – 4 pages

This study aimed to explore how BRAC’s “Targeting the Ultra Poor” programme affected intra-household dynamics in beneficiary households. It investigates men’s and women’s ownership of and control over various assets and roles in intra-household decision-making. It also aimed to understand men’s and women’s perceptions of these changes.

Main results:

  • The programme significantly increased household ownership of livestock. The largest rise was in livestock owned by women (including cattle, typically thought to be “men’s assets”), with corresponding increases in women’s livestock control.
  • It shifted women’s work inside the home and increased women’s workloads, reducing their mobility. However, women reported preferring this outcome to the stigma of working outside the home.
  • The programme decreased women’s voices in a range of decisions. While their livestock ownership increased, women’s decision-making power over their income, purchases for themselves, and household budgeting were significantly reduced.

Women’s Empowerment and Socio-Economic Outcomes: Impacts of the Andhra Pradesh Rural Poverty Reduction Programme – WB (2014)

>>> Read the full resource

 

The World Bank, 2014 – 33 pages

The paper explores whether one of the largest programmes in the world for women’s empowerment and rural livelihoods, the Indira Kranti Patham in Andhra Pradesh, India, has had an impact on the economic and social wellbeing of households that participated in the programme. Research showed that there were several major impacts:

  • First, the Indira Kranti Patham programme increased participants’ access to loans, which allowed them to accumulate some funds, invest in education, and increase total expenditures (for the poorest and poor).
  • Women who participated in the programme had more freedom to go places and were less afraid to disagree with their husbands; the women participated more in village meetings and their children were slightly more likely to attend school.
  • Programme participants were significantly more likely to benefit from various targeted government programmes, most important the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, but also midday meals in schools, hostels, and housing programmes. This was an important way in which the programme contributed to the improved well-being of participants.