Economic Security and Opportunity

Global research demonstrates that women’s economic empowerment not only improves their lives and the lives of their children but contributes to their countries’ productivity. Yet women are consistently less likely to be employed than men; are paid less than men, when they do work; and are largely uncompensated for the care work they perform. They are also less likely than men to have decision-making power over household finances and to have access to formal saving, banking, and lending mechanisms.

As the global COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the globe and shut down entire economies for months at a time, urban women in informal settlements were disproportionately harmed.

As the health crisis eases, and local economies begin to rebuild, WomenStrong International will seek out dynamic, women-led organizations testing innovative strategies designed to enable urban women to achieve economic security and move toward financial stability, independence, and positions of equity in their families and communities. We look forward to convening these organizations and to sharing their successful strategies and solutions.