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Civil Society Forum 2006 Annual Meetings. Michael Klein, Vice President and Chief Economist, International Finance Corporation. Presentation Outline. " Forget China, India and the internet: economic growth is driven by women." - The Economist, April 15-21, 2006
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Civil Society Forum2006 Annual Meetings Michael Klein, Vice President and Chief Economist, International Finance Corporation
Presentation Outline "Forget China, India and the internet: economic growth is driven by women." - The Economist, April 15-21, 2006 • Women’s contribution to trade is significant • Challenges and Opportunities • What IFC is doing to address these
Women’s share of employment in export-led industries Source: Kenya: Kenya Gender and Economic Growth Assessment, IFC, 2006.Other countries: UNCTAD, Trade and Gender in OECD, Trade and Gender: Issues and Interactions, 2005.
80% of employment in informal economy- Cambodia Source:Cambodia Socio-Economic Survey 2004/05
Key obstacles – the example of Uganda • Women enterprises face additional obstacles, esp. in access to finance (linked to land rights) • “How can property own property?” (Male interviewee, WB research)
Disparity of resources in Kenya Women’s access to resources in Kenya • Accessing international markets is a total nightmare. We don’t have a databank of needed information. • Elizabeth Thande, Wet Farm, Ltd.
How is IFC addressing the issues? • IFC Gender Entrepreneurship Markets (GEM) program • Grassroots Business Initiative (GBI) – access to markets • Africa SME Solutions Center - training • Mainstream IFC investment outreach (e.g. MTN Village Phone, Financial Markets SME, Trade & Microfinance)
IFC GEM, WB & FIAS - Addressing gender barriers in the investment climate in Uganda… Women’s share of resources in Ugandan economy • Gender and Growth Assessment: analyses gender dimensions of the business environment • Process: • Government, women’s civil society organizations & business associations, private sector collaboration • Key recommendations: • Reducing barriers to formalization • Business and technical training • Access to land & finance • Credit registry • Key outcomes: • Advocacy - Gender Coalition • Legislative change • DFCU bank line of credit • Training for businesswomen
IFC Grassroots Business Initiative & SEWA • Expanding markets for handicrafts made by women • IFC Areas of Assistance • Further commercialization of SEWA trade facilitation center • Optimal strategy develoment • Replication of model in other parts of India