Women’s economic empowerment

Investing in women’s economic empowerment sets a direct path towards gender equality, poverty eradication and inclusive economic growth. Women make enormous contributions to economies, whether in businesses, on farms, as entrepreneurs or employees, or by doing unpaid care work at home.

Particularly in Africa, gender-responsive services, production resources, markets in agriculture, industry and trade would enhance economic empowerment of women and youth extensively. African countries need to adopt and implement regional and national plans, legislations, policies, strategies, budgets and justice mechanisms in order to strengthen women’s economic empowerment. 

Through regional and national interventions, UN Women aims to empower up to 2 million women to increase income, build assets, wealth and business leadership. The programme facilitates women’s access to productive resources and business services by addressing policy and regulatory barriers and promote women’s active participation in and benefit from the extractive industry, agriculture, trade and building women’s and youth’s agribusiness and entrepreneurship skills across the value chain.