This report explores some key indicators of women’s economic empowerment in labour markets and women’s political participation and economic leadership in the Indian Ocean Rim region through three dimensions: resources, agency, and achievements. It highlights good practices, case studies, and challenges and opportunities for investments and initiatives, and provides key recommendations for Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Member States and other stakeholders to realize women’s economic empowerment in the region.

As COVID-19 spreads in Africa, informal workers are hard-pressed to comply with social distancing or confinement measures, as they need to work to provide for their basic needs. Here are three things that UN Women country offices can advocate for to ensure that women working in the informal economy do not fall through the cracks in the current crisis.