Work and Opportunities for Women (WOW) programme

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About the Work and Opportunities for Women (WOW) programme

The Work and Opportunities for Women (WOW) programme was a catalyst for transformation, advancing gender equality, economic empowerment, clean energy adoption and climate resilience across several global supply chains. Through partnerships with multinational companies, WOW reshaped opportunities for women by breaking systemic barriers, increasing visibility in the workplace and positioning women as leaders in climate-smart economies.

By embedding gender-responsive business practices and sustainability-focused initiatives, the programme helped to ensure that women not only participated in supply chains, but gained influence in industries that drive economic and environmental progress in 3 sectors across 10 countries.

The programme was delivered by an alliance of experts at the cutting edge of women’s economic empowerment research, programme design and delivery. PwC led the alliance, working with CARE International and Social Development Direct. Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) and the University of Manchester were members of the alliance between 2017 and 2020.

What we did

1. Business partnerships in supply chains to reduce the barriers that prevent women from securing dignified, equal and economically empowering work.

WOW focused its business partnerships on the issues of gender and climate change. It worked with Waitrose to improve women’s leadership in climate smart agriculture in horticulture and fresh produce supply chains in Kenya; with Twinings to improve women’s ability to adopt climate smart agriculture using Farmers Voice Radio; and with the Ethical Tea Partnership in Malawi to ensure women tea farmers benefit from a ‘payment for ecosystem services’ approach to agroforestry. WOW also supported companies to better understand the impacts of the increase in plastics recycling on women waste pickers in Indonesia.

See more detail on these partnerships:

Female tea picker in field in Kenya. Photo: Business for Social Responsibility

2. Business partnerships to improve data and transparency on women’s work in supply chains

WOW partnered with several companies, conducting research on the risks and opportunities for women within their supply chains. This work focused on sectors in which women are less visible and/or their challenges are unknown. This research enabled the WOW programme to identify further opportunities for partnership.

Research was undertaken at 3 levels:

macro-level: global supply chains
meso-level: company supply chains
micro-level: deep dive country supply chains

Female garment workers in a factory. Photo: Business for Social Responsibility

3. The WOW Helpdesk increased knowledge and support for delivering women’s economic empowerment

The WOW Helpdesk provided FCDO and other government departments with access to rapid technical assistance. It provided guidance on addressing women’s economic empowerment at different stages of programming. It drew from a wide pool of expertise to respond to queries from advisors across the FCDO network, and provided guidance and support on priority themes for women’s economic empowerment across FCDO’s Economic Development portfolios. These reports can all be found in the WOW resources page.

Female garment work in factory. Photo: CARE International UK

4. The WOW Fund: making progress on the Action Agenda of the UN High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment

The WOW Fund supported initiatives which sought to progress the Action Agenda of the UN High Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment (UNHLP). The £1.8 million Fund, which ended in August 2022, supported strategic initiatives which promoted long-term change in women’s economic empowerment. These initiatives demonstrated impact and contributed to global knowledge in 3 key areas:

enhancing land tenure security
recognising, reducing and redistributing unpaid care and work
improving outcomes for women in informal work

Grants were awarded to the following projects:

Innovations in informal land tenure awareness, rights and security for the economic empowerment of informal women workers in Delhi and Patna (India)

The lead implementer for this programme was SEWA Bharat, alongside SEWA Delhi, SEWA Bihar, SEWA Grih Rin and the Indian Institute of Human Settlements (IIHS). The project supported women workers (home-based and domestic) living in informal settlements to increase their land tenure awareness and security, as well as their access to infrastructure services and housing finance. This led to increased economic opportunities and strengthened their individual and collective agency to advocate for change with local and municipal authorities. The learning from this project informed advocacy efforts to promote security of tenure for women in informal settlements and develop innovative finance products and services targeting informal women workers.

Accelerating national progress toward achieving equality in unpaid care and domestic work and promoting women’s economic empowerment (Rwanda and South Africa)

The lead implementer for this programme was Promundo-US, alongside Rwanda Men’s Resource Center (RWAMREC) and Sonke Gender Justice.

This project facilitated the redistribution of unpaid care work responsibilities between women and men, and increased women’s decision-making power within the domestic relationship. It focused on conducting thoughtful and consistent dialogue with individuals and institutions, questioning, challenging and changing harmful and restrictive gender stereotypes that perpetuate social and economic inequality. In Rwanda and South Africa, the partners adapted Program P, a curriculum which engages men in active fatherhood.

The project also supported government ministries and civil society actors to incorporate women’s economic empowerment initiatives into existing systems and institutions. The project produced evidence on how to ‘scale up’ approaches to redistribute unpaid care work at the household level. It also showed the links between the redistribution of unpaid care work with wider women’s economic empowerment outcomes.

Home-based workers organising for economic empowerment

The lead implementer for this programme was Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO), alongside HomeNet South Asia (HNSA).

This project empowered leaders of home-based worker groups to negotiate better outcomes for their members working in precarious conditions in the garment sector. It also supported the building of alliances between home-based worker organisations and wider civil society groups working for change in women’s working conditions in the garments industry. The learning from this project built an understanding of how to develop effective negotiating strategies to improve situations for home-based women workers. The project also emphasised the importance of organising at both the national and global level to enable positive change for women.

Female garment work in Bangladesh. Photo: CARE International UK

Tools and guidance

WOW’s toolkits and guidance provide practical advice and examples for a business audience. They illustrate opportunities to increase women’s economic empowerment in supply chains.

Aligning gender- related activities to EU Regulations: An overview of EU reporting and disclosure topics (January 2025). This report provides an overview of how organisations, based or trading in the EU, can report against their gender-related activities in line with current and emerging EU regulations.
Investing in women’s economic empowerment to strengthen supply-chain resilience (September 2024). This toolkit is for multinational companies that have supply chains in low and middle-income countries. It outlines how investing in women can reduce supply chain risks, including those related to climate change and human rights. The toolkit is designed to provide sustainability and procurement teams with the knowledge and tools to improve sustainable practices and supply chain management. The report includes several real-world case studies across a range of sectors including agriculture and mining. The examples illustrate how companies benefit from women’s economic empowerment.
Integrating gender into the design, implementation and monitoring of carbon credit projects (September 2024). This guidance is for project developers in the voluntary carbon market. It aims to help them create carbon credit projects that benefit everyone, including improving outcomes for women.
Supply chain decarbonisation with a gender lens (December 2023). In March 2023, WOW hosted an event with businesses to crowdsource ideas which fed into the development of this report on Scope 3 decarbonisation with a gender lens. This report is predominantly aimed at multinational businesses with supply chains in developing countries that are taking steps to decarbonise. It is particularly relevant to businesses in sectors that rely on significant numbers of women in their supply chains, for example in agriculture and clothing. It provides practical steps and actions that businesses can take on their decarbonisation journey, with examples and case studies.
From risks to rewards: overcoming the impacts of climate change on women in agricultural supply chains (November 2022) (PDF, 8.3 MB). This report consolidates findings from action-oriented research partnerships conducted by the WOW programme with Primark, Waitrose, and the Ethical Tea Partnership in Pakistan, Kenya and Malawi respectively. It also includes a desk-based study with Waitrose to assess potential impacts on women workers in the Kenyan horticulture sector during decarbonisation efforts. The report aims to guide future programme activities for companies with agricultural supply chains. It offers insights and potential actions in collaboration with other stakeholders.
Hidden in plain sight: why we need more data about women in global value chains (September 2022) (PDF, 1.7 MB). This research brief details the issue of data gaps on women in global value chains (GVCs). It looks at how addressing these gaps will lead to improved responses to workers’ needs, better management of business risks and enhanced responsible business practices. It is written for companies or practitioners engaging in GVCs (particularly those in the garment, agriculture and/or personal care sectors) which rely heavily on women workers.
Building back equitably: spotlight on COVID-19 and women workers in global value chains (September 2022) (PDF, 890 KB). This rapid research report builds on the findings of the WOW ‘Hidden in plain sight’ (PDF, 1.7 MB) report. It draws on emerging data about how women workers fared through COVID-19, including women in global value chains. The report argues for proactive strategies by companies and policymakers to rebuild more gender-equal value chains in the COVID-19 recovery. It presents recommendations for achieving this.
The Double Day (July 2020) (PDF, 1.2 MB). In this report, the WOW programme explores the issue of unequal and unpaid work and care among garment workers in Bangladesh. The briefing paper presents an overview of current knowledge about unpaid care in the sector. It shares findings from primary research conducted with garment workers in 2019.
Women and the Net Zero economy: a transition toolkit for businesses with global supply chains (November 2021) (PDF, 982 KB). The transition to Net Zero will impact many of the most vulnerable women working in global supply chains around the world. The WOW programme collaborated with Business Fights Poverty and the Harvard Kennedy School Corporate Responsibility Initiative to create a toolkit for business on gender and climate. It will support businesses to incorporate gender considerations into the action they are taking on climate change throughout their supply chains.
Unpaid and unrecognised: how business can realise the benefits of tackling women’s invisible labour (May 2021) (PDF, 1.2 MB). This guide was developed to support businesses to take tangible steps towards understanding and addressing women’s invisible labour. It explores how businesses rely (both directly and indirectly) on women’s invisible labour for the resilience, productivity and success of their supply chains. Drawing upon real life examples, the report illustrates how business can act on invisible labour and accelerate progress toward a gender-equitable world.
Modern slavery and women’s economic empowerment: a discussion paper (July 2018) (PDF, 1.4 MB). This paper explores how increasing the economic empowerment of women in global value chains can reduce the risk of modern slavery.
Family business management training manual (PDF, 3.16 MB, 84 pages). This detailed curriculum aims to support trainers including local government and NGO staff, to deliver a 5-week couples training course on gender equality and family management of resources. It includes practical exercises to familiarise smallholder famers with issues such as budgeting and valuing productive and non-productive roles equally.
Community dialogues on gender and social norms: facilitation guide for village-based agents (PDF, 15.1 MB, 16 pages). This community engagement guide was developed as part of the WOW partnership with Waitrose, which focused on empowering women in the horticulture supply chain in Kenya. The purpose of the guide is to help Village Based Agents and lead farmers trained by Waitrose’s delivery partner, Farm Africa, to facilitate dialogues within their communities on gender and social norms.

WOW Helpdesk resources

The WOW Helpdesk provided proactive guidance and support on priority themes for women’s economic empowerment across FCDO economic development portfolios. These reports provide advice and information for policymakers, programme designers and implementers.

Climate change and green growth

International Climate Finance and gender equality, portfolio review of FCDO programmes in Tanzania, September 2023. This is a portfolio review of British High Commission Dar Es Salaam programmes, including International Climate Finance components for gender equality.
Integrating gender in the design of scaled-up or new British High Commission Tanzania programmes (March 2024). A summary of entry points for integrating gender equality into the design of 5 British High Commission Dar Es Salaam’s programmes. It addresses how each programme contributes to the 4 pillars of the high commission’s climate and environmental strategy.
Building women’s economic empowerment into climate transitions (March 2024). Pre-reading for an FCDO conference at Wilton Park from 18 to 20 March 2024.
Women’s economic empowerment and climate change (January 2024). An update of the 2021 guidance to help the UK government better understand the differential effects of climate change and support the inclusion of women in climate action. It summarises new evidence and presents a revised framework for action.
Women’s economic empowerment and electric vehicles in Kenya (May 2023) (PDF, 1.2 MB), Open document text version (ODT, 81.4 KB). A review of the status of gender-inclusive design in electric vehicles, with a focus on 2-wheelers and 3-wheelers.
Women’s economic empowerment in the blue economy in Small Island Developing States (February 2023) (PDF, 2 MB), Open document text version (ODT, 197 KB), Women’s economic empowerment in the blue economy in Small Island Developing States, Pacific: slides (ODP, 346 KB), Women’s economic empowerment in the blue economy in Small Island Developing States, Caribbean: slides (ODP, 365 KB). A desk-based review of the evidence on women’s economic empowerment in blue economy sectors in Small Island Developing States where women often take up more precarious, lower paid and less visible jobs. It presents the status, trends and barriers. It looks at how to achieve economic empowerment for more marginalised women. It identifies what works to prevent and respond to violence experienced by women working in these sectors.
Economic empowerment of excluded groups in the COP26 energy campaign (April 2021) (PDF, 467 KB), Open document text version (ODT, 107 KB). Ahead of the Climate Change Conference (COP26) the UK government set up a grant-based, demand-led Technical Assistance Rapid Response Facility (RRF) to the response of the Energy Transition Council (ETC) to requests for support arising from the ETC-country dialogues. This rapid desk-based research looks at the key issues around the economic empowerment of women, people with disabilities and other excluded groups. It aims to support interventions of the Rapid Response Facility.
Women’s economic empowerment and climate change: a primer (April 2021) (PDF, 984 KB), Open document text version) (ODT, 543 KB). This primer brings together the latest thinking about how women’s economic empowerment and climate change intersect. Together with the complementary briefing on women and the Net Zero economy (PDF, 594 KB), it was produced ahead of COP26 to support the UK government to better understand the differential effects of climate change and the inclusion of women in climate action.
Women and the Net Zero economy: a briefing (April 2021) (PDF, 594 KB), Open document text version (ODT, 210 KB). This briefing, together with the complementary primer on women’s economic empowerment and climate change (PDF, 894 KB), was produced ahead of COP26. It aimed to help the UK government better understand the differential effects of climate change and identify opportunities to secure decent jobs for women, as part of the transition to a Net Zero economy.
Green growth and opportunities for women and youth in urban areas of Mozambique (February 2021) (PDF, 762 KB). Identification of potential economic opportunities for urban women and youth in the green-growth and low-carbon sectors in Mozambique. It aims to inform the design of new interventions to be implemented by the MUVA programme. A complementary note (PDF, 181 KB) was created to help the MUVA programme identify all the questions it needs to consider in further research.

Data and measurement

Economic databases in Mexico (December 2022) (PDF, 300 KB), Open document text version (ODT, 75.3 KB). An overview on the extent to which the main economic and foreign trade databases in Mexico are disaggregated by gender.
The Armenia Good Governance Fund and gender and equality: support for a theory of change review (May 2020) (PDF, 582 KB). A report to support DFID and FCO-funded Good Governance Fund Armenia to integrate women’s economic empowerment into the design of the next phase of their economic programming.
Measurement of women’s economic empowerment (May 2020) (PDF, 1.2 MB). This paper provides an international analysis of best practice in the field of women’s economic empowerment measurement and compares this to current FCDO (then DFID) and UK government practices. It also aims to provide practical recommendations to increase effectiveness and consistency in the ways in which women’s economic empowerment is measured.
Women’s economic empowerment measurements (January 2020) (PDF, 843 KB). A stocktake of existing practices in measuring women’s economic empowerment in DFID and UK government economic development programmes.
Time Use Data sources and applications of data on paid and unpaid labour (April 2018) (PDF, 2.1 MB). An overview of the current state of global databases on women’s labour force participation, and on paid and unpaid work. It explores issues of data availability and comparability, and ways in which time use data has been used to address gender equality and women’s economic empowerment.

Health

COVID-19 response of multinational companies (December 2021) (PDF, 530 KB), Open document text version (ODT, 196 KB). A desk-based review to help FCDO understand how the private sector has included women’s economic empowerment in their value chain response and recovery efforts from COVID-19. It includes information on what FCDO can do to support the private sector to ‘build back better’ and assist women returning to work.
Women’s economic empowerment during the COVID-19 pandemic: a rapid review of impacts and responses for economic relief and recovery (June 2020) (PDF, 721 KB). A rapid review of evidence to provide early examples of evidence, practices and issues for consideration. Evidence has focused on low and middle-income countries, but also on higher income countries where relevant information could be applicable.
Implications of COVID-19 on women informal workers (June 2020) (PDF, 564 KB). A rapid review of existing written evidence to share ‘real-time’ information about what is happening to women informal workers as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Macroeconomic policy and women’s economic empowerment during the COVID-19 pandemic (June 2020) (PDF, 874 KB). A snapshot of how COVID-19 economic stimulus measures undertaken by sovereign governments can impact women’s economic empowerment. It provides a brief overview of emergency fiscal and monetary stimulus policy options and their potential impact on women, drawn from examples of responses to previous economic crises.
Evidence overview on sexual and reproductive health and rights and women’s economic empowerment programming (October 2018) (PDF, 286 KB). A rapid evidence review on how best to use sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) to influence demographic transition and examples of integration of women’s economic empowerment interventions within SRRH Programming.
Sexual and reproductive health and rights interventions in the workplace and women’s economic empowerment (August 2018) (PDF, 397 KB). A desk-based review of the evidence on sexual and reproductive health and rights interventions in the workplace and women’s economic empowerment.

Infrastructure, trade and private sector development

Gender equality and social inclusion for private sector partners: 2 workshops delivered to the British Embassy in Caracas (Latin American Spanish language only) (March 2024) (ODP, 1.8 MB). Workshop 1 shared the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs), providing positive examples of companies in the region that have implemented them and troubleshooting obstacles to their implementation. Medir la igualdad de género es parte del negocio (Marzo 2024) (ODP, 240 KB): workshop 2 was for companies that have already signed up to the WEPs, offering an in-depth focus on their implementation and guidance on integrating GESI approaches into operations and strategies.
COVID-19 response of multinational companies (December 2021) (PDF, 530 KB). A desk-based review to help FCDO understand how the private sector has included women’s economic empowerment in their value chain response and recovery efforts from COVID-19. It includes information on what FCDO can do to support the private sector to ‘build back better’ and assist women returning to work.
Trade preferences and Women’s economic empowerment (December 2019) (PDF, 558 KB). This brief explores the existing linkages between unilateral trade preferences and women’s economic empowerment. It aims to provide a series of recommendations for the future UK Generalised System of Preferences (GSP)
Decent work for women workers in the ready-made garment industry in Sub-Saharan Africa (December 2019) (PDF, 613 KB). A summary of priority issues and interventions that will contribute to ensuring work for women in the emerging ready-made apparel sector in Sub-Saharan Africa. It focuses on rights at work and social dialogue pillars. It is in line with International Labour Organisation (ILO) core labour standards and the principle of ‘decent work’.
Strengthening gender and social inclusion (with focus on women’s economic empowerment) within the Global Infrastructure Programme (December 2019) (PDF, 1.2 MB). A review of infrastructure development and delivery-related interventions within the Global Infrastructure Development Programme (GIP). It explores which have the greatest potential to strengthen women’s economic empowerment outcomes.
Transitions to the labour market within Girls’ Education Challenge (November 2019) (PDF, 989 KB). This report and the WOW Helpdesk Query 32: presentation (MS PowerPoint Presentation, 417 KB) explores ways of transition from basic education to jobs in the labour market for adolescent girls and young women. It focuses on conservative and conflict-affected regions in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), Sindh and Balochistan in Pakistan. It aims to maximise programmatic potential for economic empowerment for women and girls, and define ways to measure progress.
Violence against women border traders (November 2019). A rapid evidence review to understand the context of violence and coercion by officials, especially customs officials, at border crossings. It aims to inform the customs element of a new DFID-funded tax and customs programmes.
Women’s economic empowerment: key facts (August 2019) (PDF, 533 KB). Facts about investments, entrepreneurship and women’s economic empowerment.
Violence and harassment, including sexual harassment, in garment factories and supply chains (July 2019) (PDF, 475 KB). A mapping of evidence on the nature and prevalence of sexual harassment in the garment sector.
Gender, inclusion and trade thematic brief: integrating gender and inclusion into Prosperity Fund (April 2019) (PDF, 449 KB). A synthesis of evidence on the links between gender, social inclusion and trade. It highlights women’s different roles in trade in selected middle-income countries. It identifies key evidence gaps relevant to the Prosperity Fund’s focus on non-tariff barriers to trade in middle-income countries. It also identifies good practice tools, approaches and interventions that integrate gender, social analysis and appraisal into trade programming. This aims to support gender equality, women’s economic empowerment and inclusive growth.
Trade Mark East Africa: gender review (October 2018). A desk-based document review of Trade Mark East Africa’s progress on gender mainstreaming.
Review of women’s economic empowerment and gender work of the business for shared prosperity programme (August 2018) (PDF, 523 KB). A review of gender and women’s economic empowerment inclusion in DFID Burma’s Business for Shared Prosperity Programme.
Mapping of good practices: gender, inclusion, and women’s economic empowerment in infrastructure and trade interventions (April 2018) (PDF, 492 KB). A mapping of good practice examples of economic development programmes that aimed to include and empower marginalised groups, particularly people with disabilities. The sectoral focus is the strengthening of energy and water infrastructure. It also includes as interventions to boost trade, particularly through direct business support and Industrial Zones.
GESI capacity building in Manufacturing Africa (PPT, 3.89 MB). An interactive workshop that aims to provide tools and approaches to equip Manufacturing Africa to address key elements. These include:
- strategies for success: understanding the business case for gender smart manufacturing
- the cost of disregarding social safeguarding: win or lose?
- positioning for gender smart investing in practice: show me the money!

Integrating women’s economic empowerment into policies and standards

Gender and acute food insecurity. This report provides a summary of evidence based on a rapid review of literature and 6 interviews, with the aim of supporting FCDO and the wider UK government response to acute food insecurity and famine prevention.
Women’s economic empowerment in Ukraine: key barriers and opportunities since Russia’s full-scale invasion. This is an evidence review on the main economic barriers and opportunities for women in Ukraine.
Trade policy support to women through climate transitions, February 2025. This report examines how the UK’s trade policy can support women in low- and middle-income countries through climate transitions.
Strengthening gender in investment policy reforms in Tanzania, September 2024. This briefing note is aimed at supporting the Government of Tanzania to strengthen economic inclusion within the country’s reforms aimed at foreign and domestic investment.
Strengthening gender in investment policy reforms in Tanzania, October 2023. This work identifies global evidence on how reforms can promote women’s economic empowerment. Also, it identifies entry points for Government of Tanzania to strengthen women’s economic empowerment within the ongoing investment policy reform agenda.
Discriminatory law reform (February 2021) (PDF, 621 KB), Open document text version (ODT,173 KB). Information on how discriminatory laws affect women’s economic empowerment. This includes the lessons about eliminating legal barriers to women’s full and equal participation as employees, managers and business owners.
Macroeconomic policy and women’s economic empowerment during the COVID-19 pandemic (June 2020) (PDF, 874 KB). A snapshot of how COVID-19 economic stimulus measures undertaken by sovereign governments can impact women’s economic empowerment. It provides a brief overview of emergency fiscal and monetary stimulus policy options and their potential impact on women, drawn from examples of responses to previous economic crises.
Taxes and duties for sanitary products in Africa (May 2020) (PDF, 320 KB)Information on the countries in Africa that have removed taxes and duties from sanitary products and the results of these policy decisions, including on the economic empowerment of girls and women.
Women’s economic empowerment and standards and regulatory reform (February 2020) (PDF, 536 KB). A report to provide assistance to UK embassies and high commissions abroad for Product Safety and Standards in the design of interventions for current and future Prosperity Fund programmes.
Todas cuentan en el gobierno local: equidad de género e inclusión social en planes de desarrollo territorial (January 2020) (PDF, 874 KB). A Gender and Inclusion and Women’s Economic Empowerment Toolkit for newly-elected Colombian mayors and governors. It aims to raise awareness and build their capacity on integrating gender and inclusion and women’s economic empowerment into sub-national government policies, plans and projects.
Women’s economic empowerment presentation to newly elected mayors and governors in Colombia (November 2019) (PDF, 2.1 MB). Information to raise awareness and build capacity of newly elected Colombian mayors and governors on gender and inclusion and women’s economic empowerment. It identifies how these can be integrated into sub-national government policies, plans and projects.
Tax and women’s economic empowerment (PDF, 460 KB). Evidence-based arguments for the inclusion of a gender and women’s economic empowerment lens in DFID’s work on tax policy, with case studies.

Labour market including transition from education

Sexual exploitation and harassment in the labour market (May 2023) (PDF, 651 KB), Open document text version (ODT, 827 KB). An evidence review of sexual exploitation and harassment of women and girls during their early careers (‘sex-for-jobs/advancement’).
Women in formal and informal labour markets in Mexico (November 2022) (PDF, 481 KB), Open document text version (ODT, 187 KB)
Women in formal and informal labour markets in Mexico: Spanish version (PDF, 520 KB), Open document text: Spanish version (ODT, 162 KB)
Women in formal and informal labour markets in Mexico: recommendations slides Spanish (PDF, 828 KB). An assessment to strengthen the British Embassy of Mexico’s awareness of why women work in the informal economy in Mexico. It also explores the benefits of women working in the formal economy and the barriers in accessing formal work. The evidence was used by the British Embassy in Mexico in discussions with the Government of Mexico and the Mexican private sector.
Input to terms of reference for a socioeconomic study for TAWDIF II, Algeria (May 2020) (PDF, 318 KB). Assessment of robustness of the terms of reference developed for “socio-economic study on gender in job search and recruitment identification of barriers to women’s economic participation and proposals for corrective actions to stakeholders”. It provides evidence on the barriers that Algerian young women face in transitions from education to decent work. It identifies strategies to overcome these barriers.
Resources on girls’ clubs and self-help impact on women’s economic empowerment, employment and earnings (January 2018) (PDF, 286 KB). An exploration of evidence on the impact of self-help groups and girls’ clubs on livelihoods on employment, earnings, consumption and poverty.

Programme design

Integrating gender in the design of scaled-up or new British High Commission Tanzania programmes (March 2024). A summary of entry points for integrating gender equality into the design of 5 British High Commission Dar Es Salaam’s programmes. It addresses how each programme contributes to the 4 pillars of the high commission’s climate and environmental strategy.
Green growth and opportunities for women and youth in urban areas of Mozambique (February 2021) (PDF, 762 KB). Identification of potential economic opportunities for urban women and youth in the green-growth and low-carbon sectors in Mozambique. It aims to inform the design of new interventions to be implemented by the MUVA programme. A complementary note (PDF, 181 KB) was created to help the MUVA programme identify all the questions it needs to consider in further research.
The opportunities and risks of new technologies for women’s economic empowerment (August 2020) (PDF, 652 KB). Guidance and entry points for Prosperity Fund programmes to take advantage of the opportunities and manage the risks of new technologies for gender and inclusion and women’s economic empowerment.
The Armenia Good Governance Fund and gender and equality: support for a theory of change review (May 2020) (PDF, 582 KB). A report to support DFID and FCO-funded Good Governance Fund Armenia to integrate women’s economic empowerment into the design of the next phase of their economic programming.
Input to terms of reference for a socioeconomic study for TAWDIF II, Algeria (May 2020) (PDF, 318 KB). Assessment of robustness of the terms of reference developed for “socio-economic study on gender in job search and recruitment identification of barriers to women’s economic participation and proposals for corrective actions to stakeholders”. It provides evidence on the barriers that Algerian young women face in transitions from education to decent work. It identifies strategies to overcome these barriers.
Women’s economic empowerment and GESI within Horn of Africa (December 2019)(PDF, 324 KB). Evidence to inform the design of the Prosperity Fund Horn of Africa Programme to ensure transformative outcomes to women entrepreneurs, traders and market actors in Ethiopia and Somaliland. It has a focus on sustainability.
Strengthening gender and social inclusion (with focus on women’s economic empowerment) within the Global Infrastructure Programme (December 2019) (PDF, 1.2 MB). A review of infrastructure development and delivery-related interventions within the Global Infrastructure Development Programme (GIP). It explores which have the greatest potential to strengthen women’s economic empowerment outcomes.
Incorporating gender equality into the re-design of the Good Governance Fund (GGF) in Moldova (November 2019) (PDF, 673 KB). Evidence to ensure gender equality, social inclusion and women’s economic empowerment are integrated within the programme design of the next phase of GGF Moldova.
Transforming economies through investment and growth (TEIGR) and women’s economic empowerment (November 2019) (PDF, 558 KB). Information to help shape the business case for a new investment climate and economic transformation programme: TEIGR. It aims to ensure that gender is mainstreamed and specific interventions are designed to advance women’s economic opportunities.
Transitions to the labour market within Girls’ Education Challenge (November 2019) (PDF, 989 KB). This report and the WOW Helpdesk Query 32: presentation (MS PowerPoint Presentation, 417 KB) explore ways of transition from basic education to jobs in the labour market for adolescent girls and young women. It focuses on conservative and conflict-affected regions in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), Sindh and Balochistan in Pakistan. It aims to maximise programmatic potential for economic empowerment for women and girls, and define ways to measure progress.
Gender and inclusion evidence review: Prosperity Fund (April 2019) (PDF, 461 KB). Evidence on the relationship between gender equality, women’s economic empowerment and growth, and key drivers to ensure opportunities are maximised by the Prosperity Fund.
China country brief (April 2019) (PDF, 446 KB). This country brief identifies key gender gaps and barriers in China related to Prosperity Fund areas of intervention, the enabling environment, and opportunities to address gender inequality and promote women’s economic empowerment.
Gender, inclusion and trade thematic brief: integrating gender and inclusion into Prosperity Fund (April 2019) (PDF,449 KB). A synthesis of evidence on the links between gender, social inclusion and trade. It highlights women’s different roles in trade in selected middle-income countries. It identifies key evidence gaps relevant to the Prosperity Fund’s focus on Non-Tariff Barriers to trade in middle-income countries. It also identifies good practice tools, approaches and interventions that integrate gender, social analysis and appraisal into trade programming. This aims to support gender equality, women’s economic empowerment and inclusive growth.
Women’s economic empowerment linked to land programming: a preview of evidence for DFID Ethiopia (November 2018) (PDF, 614 KB). An assessment, informed by an evidence review and framework developed by IFPRI (2017), of evidence on the contribution of ‘additional interventions’ along 3 potential impact pathways:
- links between women’s land rights and women’s agency and decision-making
- links between women’s land rights and interventions and increases in women’s productivity/incomes in farming and other agricultural related livelihoods
- links between women’s land rights and improved productivity and/or income in non-agricultural livelihoods
Review of women’s economic empowerment and gender work of the business for shared prosperity programme (August 2018) (PDF, 523 KB). A review of gender and women’s economic empowerment inclusion in DFID Burma’s Business for Shared Prosperity Programme.
Commercial agriculture portfolio review: Women’s economic empowerment analysis (July 2018) (PDF, 607 KB). This paper provides an analysis of the gender responsiveness of programmes within the FCDO (then DFID) Commercial Agriculture Team.
Women’s Economic Empowerment and Disability Inclusion in Future Cities programmes (PDF, 212 KB), Open document text version (ODT, 606 KB). A concise summary of current evidence, good practice and resources for integrating the priorities and needs of women and people with disabilities in the Prosperity Fund Global Future Cities programme.
Southern agriculture growth corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT) strategy review (PDF, 406 KB), Open document text version (ODT, 98.6 KB). Guidance and recommendations on how to better integrate Women’s Economic Empowerment into the 5-year strategy of the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania Investment Project.
GESI capacity building in Manufacturing Africa (PPT, 3.9 MB). An interactive workshop that aims to provide tools and approaches to equip Manufacturing Africa to address key elements. These include:
- strategies for success - understanding the business case for gender smart manufacturing
- the cost of disregarding social safeguarding: win or lose?
- positioning for gender smart investing in practice: show me the money!

Women’s economic empowerment (general)

Checklist for integrating gender, equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) across FCDO economic development programmes. Guidance on enhancing FCDO support for inclusive growth across different stages of programming, using an adapted economic inclusion framework.
No such thing as a free lunch: investing in and addressing unpaid care and domestic work, the missing component of equitable development (October 2023) (PDF, 3.8 MB). Open document text version (ODT, 1.1 MB). This paper is a reference guide on unpaid care and domestic work for people working in international organisations. It sets out the evidence-base for action. It summarises what initiatives work to ensure that the extent and impacts of unpaid care and domestic work are recognised, reduced and redistributed. The paper demonstrates that there are different ways to address the disproportionate amount of time women spend on unpaid care.
Women’s economic empowerment drivers (March 2023) (PDF, 1.2 MB), Open document text version (ODT, 1.23 MB) , Women’s economic empowerment drivers: slides (ODP, 4.02 MB), UNHLP women’s economic empowerment drivers: infographic (ODT, 229 KB). An evidence review of progress since the UNHLP in 2016 which looks at the latest evidence on the 7 drivers of transformation of women’s economic empowerment.
What works to promote women’s economic empowerment (February 2023) (PDF, 578 KB), Open document text version (ODT, 545KB). An evidence review of the literature on the barriers to women’s economic empowerment and what works to overcome these challenges. It is aimed at UK government staff, particularly those who are not specialists in gender and social development.
Women’s economic empowerment in Côte D’Ivoire (November 2020) (PDF, 515 KB). Information on the reasons behind the economic disparity between men and women in Côte D’Ivoire and the country’s existing economic policies. This is to inform HMG work with the government of Côte D’Ivoire on the design and roll-out of women’s economic empowerment interventions. The findings and recommendations were presented to FCDO in December 2020: WOW Helpdesk Query 57 (MS PowerPoint Presentation, 1.4 MB).
International financial institutions and women’s economic empowerment (October 2022) (PDF, 884 KB), Open document text version (ODT, 717 KB). A mapping and critical assessment of the work carried out by International Financial Institutions on women’s economic empowerment. This assessment enabled FCDO to engage with the World Bank Group as it launched a refresh of their gender strategy.
Promoting economic empowerment for women in the informal economy (September 2019) (PDF, 969 KB). This paper provides an analysis of the gender dynamics of informal work, and a set of corresponding recommendations to promote better jobs for women. It is aimed at FCDO and UK government advisers working on economic development, across a range of issues. These include agriculture, business environment, private sector development, social protection, urban and infrastructure development, digital development and research.
Women workers in global value chains: a research briefing (July 2018) (PDF, 245 KB). This paper provides an overview of WOW research on the role and work of women in global value chains.
Women’s economic empowerment and disability inclusion in financial services (PDF, 418 KB), Open document text version (ODT, 270KB). A rapid review of evidence, good practice and resources for integrating the priorities and needs of women and people with disabilities in the finance sector and economic development programmes.

Evidence digests

The WOW Helpdesk provides regular updates which are distributed across the FCDO network. They collate learning and information from the WOW programme and signpost to new resources on women’s economic empowerment.

Evidence digest: September 2024 (ODP, 917 KB):

targeted guidance on measurement of women’s economic empowerment
evidence review highlighting what works in fragile and conflicted affected states (FCAS) to increase women’s economic empowerment
updates on WOW work with Waitrose, and participation in the London Climate Action Week

Evidence digest: May 2024 (ODP, 453 KB):

targeted guidance on promoting economic empowerment for women in the informal economy
recent work feeding into the Wilton Park conference on Building Women’s Economic Empowerment into Climate Transitions, and a query related to integrating gender into the design of 4 British High Commission Tanzania programmes which are International Climate Finance (ICF)-funded
updates on the WOW programme’s work on gender and carbon credits, and wider work with the Ethical Tea Partnership

Evidence digest: February 2024 (ODP, 457 KB):

summaries of recent queries on women’s economic empowerment and electric vehicles in Kenya, sexual exploitation and harassment in the labour market transitions, and the importance of meaningfully engaging women in acute food insecurity prevention and response
recent practical guidance from WOW for multinational companies on how to reduce Scope 3 carbon emissions using a gender lens
updates on the WOW pilot projects with Twining’s, Waitrose, Ethical Tea Partnership and Unilever

Evidence digest: May 2023 (PDF, 279 KB):

new resources on women’s economic empowerment, including the 2X Global Inclusive gender and climate finance
recent work by the WOW Programme on support for women’s economic empowerment in Small Island States (SIDS) within the blue economy
insights into the impact of COVID-19 on WIEGO Domestic workers across 6 cities

Evidence digest: December 2022 (PDF, 403 KB):

research on both the UNHLP key women’s economic empowerment initiatives to drive empowerment outcomes and informal and formal labour markets in Mexico

Evidence digest: March 2021 (PDF, 497 KB):

knowledge and learning on green growth opportunities for women and youth in urban areas
snapshot of the targeted guidance on climate change and the net zero economy

Evidence digest: November 2020 (PDF, 278 KB):

knowledge and learning from the series of 3 papers on women’s economic empowerment and COVID-19
access to recordings of 2 events: presentation of the Implications of COVID-19 on women informal workers query and the launch of the Women’s Economic Empowerment Measurements guidance note

Evidence digest: December 2019 (PDF, 198 KB):

findings from the report on addressing violence and harassment in garment factories and supply chains
key messages from a guidance note on promoting women’s economic empowerment in the informal economy
WOW partnership updates

Evidence digest: June 2019 (PDF, 278 KB):

key considerations for designing gender sensitive trade-related research or programmes in middle-income countries (MICs)
information on gender equality and women’s economic empowerment in China
updates on work with retailers to advance women’s rights in Bangladesh

Evidence digest: January 2019 (PDF, 400 KB):

highlights of WOW’s work to support women’s economic empowerment programming on land, sexual and reproductive health and market interventions
insights from a workshop with companies on women’s visibility and influence in global value chains
updates on WOW’s engagement with UK retailers

Evidence digest: October 2018 (PDF, 743 KB):

knowledge and learning on sexual and reproductive health rights interventions in the workplace
links between empowerment and tackling modern slavery in value chains

Evidence digest: June 2018 (PDF, 611 KB):

knowledge and learning on women’s economic empowerment in fragile and conflict-affected states
how to find and use Time Use Data
portfolio review of DFID’s Commercial Agriculture portfolio

Events

London Climate Action Week: The WOW programme participated in a London Climate Action Week event which was run in partnership between PwC and the Natural Climate Solutions Alliance (NCSA). This event focused on the wider co-benefits of natural climate solutions which extend beyond carbon accounting, with a particular focus on the importance of gender equity within NCS activities. WOW led a deep-dive into gender and natural climate solutions, discussing in particular the importance of gender inclusion in NCS crediting projects, and the ways in which gender equity can be embedded into such projects. This served as an opportunity to highlight WOW’s upcoming guidance – “Integrating gender into the design, implementation and monitoring of carbon credit projects: Practical guidance for project developers in the Voluntary Carbon Market.” Event date: 28 June 2024.

The Africa Debate, Business Roundtable: Invest Africa together with WOW hosted a business roundtable, which served as an opportunity to discuss the initial plans for, and findings of, the research thus far. Held on the margins of Invest Africa’s annual ‘Africa Dialogue’ event in London, the roundtable brought together senior representatives from businesses in the mining, agriculture and manufacturing sectors across Africa. The discussion focused on the critical need to integrate women’s economic empowerment across all business areas. The conversation also explored the unique challenges and opportunities associated with empowering women workers in these sectors and underscored the vital role of finance and investment as catalysts for meaningful change. Event date: 04 June 2024.

Exploring Carbon Finance Event: The WOW programme co-hosted this event with the Government of Malawi, UK High Commission, and the USAID/UKAid co-funded Modern Cooking for Healthy Forests (MCHF) programme. The one-day conference explored the current state of the carbon market in Malawi, with the aim to develop a roadmap towards an equitable future for smallholder farmers, particularly women farmers. Speakers included representatives from the Malawian Carbon Markets Initiative, the Tea Association of Malawi, the Ethical Tea Partnership, and the Integrity Council for Voluntary Carbon Markets. Event date: 17 April 2024.

Wilton Park Conference : FCDO hosted a 3-day conference (with attendees from the private sector, public sector, and third sector) which looked to explore the ways in which women’s economic empowerment could be built into climate transitions. The WOW programme co-hosted a session on a gender-inclusive green economy, which aimed to foster a common understanding of gender-inclusive climate transitions, discuss the enabling environment for a green economy, and identify roadblocks to achieving a gender-inclusive green economy. Event date: 18 to 20 March 2024.

Climate Justice Summit, COP28: The WOW programme co-hosted this event with Business Fights Poverty and FCDO. The hybrid workshop explored the ways in which applying a gender lens can help drive progress towards Net Zero. Speakers included representatives from Business Fights Poverty, EBRD, Mars Inc, PwC, Sasini PLC Kenya and Twinings. Event date: 5 December 2023.

Climate Justice Summit, International Women’s Day: The WOW programme co-hosted this event with Business Fights Poverty. The hybrid workshop explored how to enhance the lives and livelihoods of women around the world, and empower them to thrive. Speakers included representatives from AB Sugar, Flamingo Horticulture Investments, John Lewis Partnership, Mars Inc and PwC. Roundtable participants included representatives from Care International UK, the Ethical Tea Partnership, IFC and Twinings. Event date: 8 March 2023.

Women and climate resilience in global supply chains, COP27: The WOW programme, in collaboration with PwC, hosted a panel discussion featuring representatives from FCDO, BII, EBRD, Waitrose, and Farm Africa. The event marked the launch of the new WOW report titled ‘From Risks to Rewards: Overcoming the Impacts of Climate Change on Women in Agricultural Supply Chains’ and facilitated a discussion on women and climate resilience in global supply chains. Event date: 14 November 2022

Climate Justice Summit, COP26: The WOW programme co-hosted this event with FCDO. The interactive panel discussion focused on the twin challenges of realising women’s economic empowerment and tackling climate change. It explored the ways in which these critical social and environmental issues relate, and how a transition to Net Zero can achieve economic empowerment for women in global value chains. Representatives from Aviva, Business Fights Poverty, IFC, L’Oreal, PwC and Visa formed the panel. Event date: 4 November 2021.

Understanding Invisible Labor in Supply Chains: Impact, Opportunities, and Examples: The WOW programme co-hosted this webinar with Business for Social Responsibility. The webinar focused on the role of invisible labour (including unpaid work and care, and hidden labour) within business operations and supply chains, and the impact of such labour on gender equality. Event date: 22 July 2020.

Contact

For more information on the Work and Opportunities for Women programme, contact fcdo.correspondence@fcdo.gov.uk

Work and Opportunities for Women (WOW) programme

About the Work and Opportunities for Women (WOW) programme

What we did

1. Business partnerships in supply chains to reduce the barriers that prevent women from securing dignified, equal and economically empowering work.

2. Business partnerships to improve data and transparency on women’s work in supply chains

3. The WOW Helpdesk increased knowledge and support for delivering women’s economic empowerment

4. The WOW Fund: making progress on the Action Agenda of the UN High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment

Innovations in informal land tenure awareness, rights and security for the economic empowerment of informal women workers in Delhi and Patna (India)

Accelerating national progress toward achieving equality in unpaid care and domestic work and promoting women’s economic empowerment (Rwanda and South Africa)

Home-based workers organising for economic empowerment

Tools and guidance

WOW Helpdesk resources

Climate change and green growth

Data and measurement

Health

Infrastructure, trade and private sector development

Integrating women’s economic empowerment into policies and standards

Labour market including transition from education

Programme design

Women’s economic empowerment (general)

Evidence digests

Events

Contact

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Work and Opportunities for Women (WOW) programme

About the Work and Opportunities for Women (WOW) programme

What we did

1. Business partnerships in supply chains to reduce the barriers that prevent women from securing dignified, equal and economically empowering work.

2. Business partnerships to improve data and transparency on women’s work in supply chains

3. The WOW Helpdesk increased knowledge and support for delivering women’s economic empowerment

4. The WOW Fund: making progress on the Action Agenda of the UN High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment

Innovations in informal land tenure awareness, rights and security for the economic empowerment of informal women workers in Delhi and Patna (India)

Accelerating national progress toward achieving equality in unpaid care and domestic work and promoting women’s economic empowerment (Rwanda and South Africa)

Home-based workers organising for economic empowerment

Tools and guidance

WOW Helpdesk resources

Climate change and green growth

Data and measurement

Health

Infrastructure, trade and private sector development

Integrating women’s economic empowerment into policies and standards

Labour market including transition from education

Programme design

Women’s economic empowerment (general)

Evidence digests

Events

Contact

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