Promoting women’s economic empowerment

Context

Gender equality can make a significant contribution to the economy of Côte d’Ivoire and to combating poverty. Yet the employment rate of women in the country remains low. Women also experience discrimination in the labour market.

If women do work, they are often employed on an informal basis and under precarious employment conditions. The current culture does not enable women to reconcile work and family.

Objective

Women’s participation in the economy in urban areas of Côte d’Ivoire has improved, particularly in future-oriented sectors.

Approach

The project adopts a gender-transformative approach. This addresses not only the impacts of gender inequality but also its causes, such as role perceptions and power relations.

The project works with the Government of Côte d’Ivoire, future-oriented companies and civil society. It is implementing the following measures:

• The project is strengthening capacities at ministries and subordinate authorities for advancing the economic participation of women. The aim is to enable them to align public policy strategies and support measures more effectively with women’s needs and with local economic promotion activities.
• The project is improving the quality of services for promoting entrepreneurship and employment-oriented training for women. To do this, it supports private-sector and state organisations in creating awareness of women’s needs and taking these into account in their support programmes.
• The project is also creating a better work environment for women. It raises awareness at local companies of the economic advantages of a more diverse workforce. It also supports them in introducing and implementing measures for managing gender diversity.

Last update: January 2025