Women’s Economic Empowerment
When women earn an income and control their earnings, their children are more likely to attend school, their families are healthier, their self-worth improves, their household incomes increase, and national and global economies grow.
300M
possible jobs generated by investing in universal child care and long-term services
Why women’s economic opportunity matters:
- Closing the gender gap boosts GDP
Increasing women’s participation in the economy leads to gains at home, at work, in society at large, and in a country’s GDP. - Investing in women strengthens families and communities
When women have economic power, their families benefit too. - Economic growth
The capacity of both women and men to participate in, contribute to, and benefit from economic growth is essential to transforming the lives of the poor.
When money flows into the hands of women—and when those women have the power to save and spend that money—the lives of people all over the planet are better.
How we advance women’s economic opportunity
Supporting women entrepreneurs
We are focused on economic mobility for women entrepreneurs, supporting them to earn and increase their income and helping reduce barriers to growing their businesses.
Supporting women smallholder farmers
Working with partners, we support women farmers in strengthening their livelihoods—expanding opportunities to move from subsistence farming toward profitable enterprises and greater participation across the agricultural supply chain.
Removing barriers to work
We help reduce barriers for women entrepreneurs to growing their businesses. We support and scale impactful programs that reach the poorest women, including women’s empowerment collectives, and working with the private sector to expand access to loans for women.
Financial inclusion
We design inclusive solutions that meet the needs of women where they are. For example, economic opportunities may look very different for older rural women than for younger urban women.
Stories, insights, and case studies about women’s economic opportunity
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When we invest in women, everyone gains
From mentorship to health care to financial inclusion, investing in women strengthens families, communities, and economic development.
By Jackie Jones
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The scientist reinventing beans to grow Uganda’s economy
Dr. Clare Mukankusi develops climate-resilient beans to help Uganda’s farmers adapt, boost food security, and grow economic opportunity.
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A doctor at the intersection of women’s health and economic power
Dr. Stellah Bosire champions women’s economic empowerment and health equity. Learn how her work is transforming lives in Kenya and…
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Unlocking women’s economic power through digital public infrastructure
In many regions, women experience many more barriers to accessing digital services digital public infrastructure than men. Yet, including women…
By Monique Nsanzabaganwa
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The critical reason to close gender gaps in agriculture
Empowering women who work in agriculture presents a major opportunity. Chief of Economic Empowerment Jemimah Njuki at UN Women tells…
By Jemimah Njuki
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Designing credit that works for women
In sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, there is an estimated US$1.7 trillion financing gap for women entrepreneurs. When women don’t…
By Rohini Pande
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Supporting women’s health is the key to advancing women’s economic power
No country can grow more prosperous or healthier while leaving behind half of its population. Marie Ba tells us what’s…
By Marie Ba
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Creating a care economy that supports women and helps communities thrive
For many women, the ability to fully participate in the economy is only possible when they have access to affordable…
By Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi
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