Investing In Women

Gender inequality is not only a social issue, it's a critical economic challenge. Harnessing and leveraging women's economic potential has the power to create jobs, drive economic growth and transform economies. The Investing in Women program is an initiative of the Australian government to improve women’s economic participation, build markets for women and influence the private and public sector environment to promote women’s economic empowerment in the Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar and Indonesia. The program these accomplish these through the following four components: 1. BUSINESS COALITIONS - Establishing and supporting business coalitions committed to gender equality 2. IMPACT INVESTING IN WOMEN'S SMES - Working with impact investors to increase investment in women’s SMEs. 3. GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIPS - Partnering with government on gender lens economic regulatory reform and women’s economic empowerment. 4. ADVOCACY - Advocating and building a business case for women’s economic empowerment. The project is being implemented on behalf of the Australian Government by Abt, in partnership with Ernst and Young (EY), Metis Analytics (Metis) and the University of Sydney. The project is managed through the Gender Equity Branch (GEB) of Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). By 2020, the project aims: -More businesses achieve gender equality in their workplace -National counterparts take steps towards removing barriers to women's economic empowerment -Impact investment in women’s SMEs has increased -Public attitudes are more supportive of women’s economic empowerment