Seven Key Strategies to Accelerate Women's Economic Empowerment 101

In my previous role when I led a women's economic empowerment programme for an advocacy pan-african institution based in Johannesburg was responsible to identify strategies to advance Women's Economic Empowerment (WEE).  There are several strategies we employed and other partner women's rights, feminists organisations also use.  These strategies are specific to policy, advocacy and communication strategies.  In no particular order of importance or effectiveness here are the seven key strategies:  

1. Policy Reform: Governments and organizations can work towards implementing policies that promote gender equality and support women's economic empowerment. This may include measures such as legislation to ensure equal pay for equal work, promoting affordable childcare, implementing maternity and paternity leave, and addressing barriers to women's entrepreneurship, among others.  For example, many bilateral and multilateral institutions have integrated a Gender Action Plan and a Gender Policy in line with the Gender national policy. Below are examples of policy mechanisms for WEE and Financial Inclusion Advocacy.  
   
   
   
2. Advocacy and Awareness: Advocating for women's economic empowerment through campaigns and initiatives can help raise awareness about the importance of gender equality in the workforce. This can be done through partnerships with organizations, engaging stakeholders and decision-makers, and using various communication channels to reach a wide audience.   Organisations such as FEMNET, an African Women Development and Communication Network, have the African Women's Journal where they share impact stories and event highlights; African Women's Development Fund (AWDF) an organisation that amplifies and celebrates African Women's voices and achievements, CGAP is a think tank organisation established FinEquity, a community of practice platform were it brings awareness on the barriers women specifically face in accessing finance; and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have The GoalKeeper Report and The Optimist monthly newsletter on LinkedIn, to name a few.  
3. Capacity Building and Skills Training: Providing women with relevant skills training and access to education can enhance their employability and economic opportunities. This includes supporting vocational training programs, financial literacy initiatives, and entrepreneurship training to empower women to start and grow their own businesses. For example, EMPRETEC is a flagship capacity-building programme of UNCTAD for the promotion of entrepreneurship and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).  I completed an EMPRETEC course in 2012 in Zimbabwe facilitated by the Executive Director of EMPRETEC Zimbabwe Ms. Busi Bango.   Fantastic model anchored on behaviour modification to sustain entrepreneurship habits.
4. Access to Finance and Resources: Ensuring women have equal access to financial resources and services is crucial. This can be achieved by promoting women's access to loans, grants, and venture capital, as well as providing financial education and support for women-owned businesses.  The Graca Machel Trust, established an Expert Leaders Group (ELG) of women leaders in operating as Deputy Governors or Governors of Central African Banks or Reserve Bank to advocate and mobilise for funding towards women entrepreneurs.
5. Networking and Mentorship: Facilitating networks and mentorship opportunities for women can provide them with the guidance, support, and connections needed to advance their careers. This can be achieved through mentorship programs, networking events, and online platforms that connect women entrepreneurs with successful professionals.
6.  Gender-Responsive Investment: Encouraging investors and financial institutions to adopt gender-responsive investment practices can leverage their influence to support women's economic empowerment. This may involve promoting gender lens investing, gender-targeted funds, and engaging with financial institutions to prioritize gender equality in their investment decisions.  Visa Foundation, Mastercard Foundation and MEDA to name a few organizations working actively in this space.  
7. Monitoring and Evaluation: Implementing robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess progress and measure the impact of policies and programs is essential. This ensures accountability and helps identify gaps, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.

These strategies, when implemented holistically and in coordination with one another, can contribute to accelerating women's economic empowerment and fostering gender equality in the workforce. 

Tambu Ndoro is a Women's Economic Empowerment Activist, Author of Franchising Bullshit: Lessons Learned in Running a Franchise Restaurant,  Founder and Executive Director of Ndoro Resources t/a as Hanga Consulting and Tamar Designs.  She is currently based in Johannesburg, South Africa.  She is also recently a member of International Association of Professional Writers and Editors (IAPWE).  She can be reached at tambu.ndoro@gmail.com

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