Initiative seeks to empower women through research and collaborative
By Agatha Ngotho
Stakeholders called for the need to reduce the unpaid care burden and break down gender-based labor market segregation.
In Summary
- The first phase of the project identified the major barriers to women’s economic empowerment.
- They include the uneven distribution of unpaid care work and gender segregation in the labor market.
A woman selling tomatoes to empower herself economically. [PHOTO: GATES FOUNDATION]
As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, a significant milestone has been reached in advancing women’s economic empowerment across East Africa.
Dr Annet Mulema, senior program officer at the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), said they are seeking to address the barriers that hinder women’s participation in the labor market and other spaces, such as politics and leadership.
She noted the need to reduce the unpaid care burden and break down gender-based labor market segregation.
The project, which is implemented in five countries, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda, focuses on providing research-driven solutions to empower women economically and socially.
“It specifically aimed to help young women gain skills and improve their work readiness, with a focus on testing solutions that could reduce unpaid care work and enhance government procurement programs to support women entrepreneurs,” she said.
She spoke during a workshop on the Growth and Economic Opportunities for Women (GrOW)2 East Africa.
The five-year initiative is jointly funded by the Gates Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC).
According to Mulema, the first phase of the project identified the major barriers to women’s economic empowerment, including the uneven distribution of unpaid care work and gender segregation in the labor market.
“The second phase, which is now concluding, sought to bridge these gaps by generating evidence-based solutions for policy makers, researchers, and practitioners. This work was critical in understanding and addressing cultural norms that restrict women’s opportunities in various domains, including economic and political leadership,” she explained.
“The evidence we’ve generated has had a measurable impact, with a cohort of 15 projects testing solutions that enhance women’s participation in the labor market and empower them to tap into government procurement opportunities,” Mulema said.
“The goal is not just to test solutions but to make sure that the evidence we gather influences policy and informs practices on the ground.”
Prof Jane Mariara, Executive Director, Partnership for Economic Policy (PEP), said one of the findings from the research was the importance of soft skills training.
“A research team working on the employability of students from technical and vocational education training (TVET) institutions in Nairobi discovered that soft skills were crucial for improving job placement outcomes,” she said.
“Surprisingly, young women saw even greater benefits than their male counterparts from this training, an outcome that was both exciting and unexpected for the team,” said Mariara.
Mulema said that in line with the International Women’s Day theme of promoting equity and inclusivity, the workshop also featured discussions on the disproportionate care burden shouldered by women (mother load).
In addition to exploring ways to reduce this burden while keeping the issue on the political agenda, the workshop also sought to amplify the role of women in the care economy, recognizing their invaluable contribution to households and communities.
“There’s a need to celebrate the work women do in caregiving, whether it’s taking care of children or sick family members,” said Mulema.
“We also recognize the importance of creating policies and practices that promote inclusivity, ensuring that both women and men can thrive economically while contributing to the care economy.”
This Article was first published in The Star