Despite decades of progress in gender equality, women around the world still face significant challenges in accessing decent work and economic opportunities. Deeply rooted social norms, structural inequalities, and economic crises continue to limit their participation in the labor force. Yet, research consistently shows that empowering women economically benefits not just individuals, but entire communities and national economies.
Over the past 20 years, Partnership for Economic Policy (PEP) has led more than 100 projects across 45 countries, advancing gender-focused research that has directly influenced policy processes. Women’s participation in PEP supported research continues to grow, with 53% of local PEP researchers being women. Additionally, 38% of PEP projects have female project team leaders.
On this International Women’s Day, we highlight research supported by PEP over 2024 examining challenges women face, especially economically, and the policies needed to create lasting change. This includes findings from four research programs listed below.
- Gender-Sensitive Intervention to Improve Women’s Labour Market Outcomes, supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) – as part of their Growth and Economic Opportunities for Women (GrOW) – East Africa initiative;
- Macro-level policy solutions to promote women's economic empowerment in Africa supported by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation;
- Impact of the war in Ukraine on African economies a collaborative research program supported by IDRC;
- What Works for Youth Employment in Africa undertaken in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.
Building Resilience for Women amidst Economic Shocks
The Impact of the war in Ukraine on African Economies has exacerbated economic instability, disproportionately affecting women in developing economies. Research led by local PEP researchers examined how trade disruptions, rising inflation, and supply chain crises impact female workers, particularly in agriculture and small-scale trade in Egypt and Kenya. Findings suggested that targeted cash transfers and financial inclusion strategies can mitigate such economic shocks and support women's resilience in labor markets.
Gender-Sensitive Intervention improves Women’s Labour Market Outcomes
As part of the Gender-Sensitive Interventions to Improve Women’s Labor Market Outcomes , research program, local PEP researchers explored how gender-sensitive soft-skills training could help address gender-based employment segregation and employment gaps in Kenya. Conducted in collaboration with four public TVET institutions, the study involved 3,700 youth (1,686 women and 2,053 men) who were assigned to treatment and control groups. The training aimed to improve interpersonal and socio-emotional skills, helping young women navigate employment transitions more effectively. The impact of the training showed that:
- Women with high self-efficacy and a strong sense of personal agency were more likely to secure jobs than their peers.
- Soft-skills training led to higher earnings for young women.
- Women exposed to the training showed an increased preference for self-employment.
The results were shared with relevant stakeholders, including government representatives and employers, who acknowledged that soft skills are critical for women’s labor market success. Nelson Vunyinda, a Senior Economist at the State Department of TVET, noted: “Technical skills are important, but soft skills are equally essential for the job market and daily life.”
Find out more about the findings and policy recommendations in this PEP blog, Soft skills boost job prospects and pay for young women in informal sector, authored by Laura Barasa, Kibrom Abay, Maria Laura Alzua and Phyllis Machio.
Macro-level policy solutions to promote women's economic empowerment in Africa
Yet, another research program led by local PEP researchers examined macroeconomic policies that can advance gender equality and empower women in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, and Tanzania. Researchers identified targeted policy interventions tailored to each country’s unique economic and social context to drive sustainable change.
They recommended integrating gender-responsive macroeconomic strategies into national policies both for empowering women economically and advancing national economic growth. Key recommendations for each country included:
- Exploring policies to alleviate the burden of unpaid care duties on women in Burkina Faso.
- Supporting policies that enhance schooling for young girls, particularly vocational training in high-demand skills, and improving protection for women entrepreneurs in Camroon.
- Addressing structural tax inequalities that disadvantage women and advocating for a more inclusive fiscal system in Tanzania.
Find out more in the Executive Director Prof. Jane Mariara’s LinkedIn newsletter on how the state must integrate gender equality in national macroeconomic policies.
Ensuring dignified and fulfilling work for young women in Africa
Through its Young Africa Works strategy, the Mastercard Foundation, in partnership with PEP, is working to enable 30 million young Africans, particularly young women, to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030. The program spans 10 countries—Ghana, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Uganda, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, and South Africa—aiming to provide evidence-driven policy recommendations that enhance youth employment opportunities.
Local PEP research teams across multiple African countries conducted gender-aware policy and impact reviews, identifying challenges and solutions that can inform necessary reforms, particularly for young women, who face greater barriers in accessing dignified and meaningful work. The findings emphasized the need for better coordination of youth employment programs (YEPs), comprehensive interventions, and stronger governance structures to improve outcomes. For instance, researchers in Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria recommended the need for centralized frameworks and improved coordination to minimize duplication and enhance program efficiency, ensuring women have equitable access to opportunities. In Senegal, local researchers emphasized the importance of integrating employment strategies into broader national development plans to enhance gender inclusivity. Nigeria and Rwanda recommend financial grants with inclusivity criteria to support women entrepreneurs, while Niger called for integrating entrepreneurship support with technical supervision to empower young female business owners. Senegal and Nigeria also stressed on stronger partnerships with the private sector to create targeted opportunities for young women.
The 2024 PEP annual policy conference, which focused on the Future of Work in The Global South, also organized a panel discussing on findings from the program. All panellists identified improving training, particularly vocational training for entrepreneurship, as vital for decent job creation. Read the PEP blog on the conference takeaways.
A Renewed Commitment to Women’s Economic Empowerment
Achieving gender equality in the workforce requires more than just acknowledging existing barriers—it demands deliberate action and sustained investment in transformative policies. Expanding access to quality education, strengthening vocational training, and embedding gender-responsive strategies in macroeconomic planning are critical steps toward closing the gender gap. By ensuring that women have equal access to resources, opportunities, and financial security, nations can unlock their full potential. This International Women’s Day, let us commit to translating research into action, ensuring that policies create tangible, lasting change for women in the workforce.
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