Gender equality is not only a social and moral imperative, but also an economic need. Women represent nearly 50 percent of the world’s population, yet they account for only about 41 percent of the formal workforce. IFC has long recognized the importance of greater participation of women in economic activities.

IFC’s commitment to advancing gender equality is anchored in a strong business case and in client demand for gender-smart solutions, which has significantly grown over the past five years. In response, we are working with clients to reduce the gap between men and women as entrepreneurs, employees, corporate leaders, suppliers, consumers, and community stakeholders.

We support companies with gender-specific advice and investment. We help to provide access to credit, markets, housing, savings and insurance products, information, technology and supply chains. We work with companies on recruiting and retaining diverse talent from a gender perspective.

The new World Bank Group Gender Strategy (FY 2016 - 2023) outlines the support that the entire Group, including IFC, will provide to client countries and companies toward gender inclusion. Such support is a means to achieving greater gender equality, a key pathway to lasting poverty reduction, security and shared prosperity.

IFC is also exploring how to tap into the power of evolving technologies and business models to create opportunities for all. As part of those efforts, IFC developed a report in 2018 that looks into how women and men participate in ride-hailing across six diverse economies. To read more, please click: Driving Toward Equality: Women, Ride-Hailing, and the Sharing Economy

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