Women’s Economic Empowerment

This page offers information on how to implement private sector development (PSD) programmes in gender-sensitive ways and promote Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) – which is recognised as one of the major driving forces of global economic growth and well-being. Our WEE Webinar Library brings together top webinars on various WEE topics into a complementary video learning hub. The DCED WEE WG podcast, WEE Talks, also explores a variety of WEE-related topics, in bite-sized format.

Watch the videos below for a short introduction to the concept of WEE, and for an introduction to key resources and how to navigate this knowledge page.

 

For implementation-focused resources for practitioners and an interactive, digestible introduction to WEE concepts, check out the DCED’s WEE Gateway. It includes video content, case studies, downloadable infographics and practical guidelines.

At a glance: Short reads on WEE by the DCED

A Synthesis Note that defines WEE and outlines its constraints and opportunities.

Take a read

Care Work, Climate Change & Private Sector Development Synthesis Note, 2025

This synthesis note outlines the relationship between care work, climate change and private sector development, explaining why the issues are important for gender-transformative outcomes.

Take a read

Research and Evidence on WEE, 2019

This 2019 update brings together key findings from original studies on constraints and solutions to WEE, as well as the social and economic benefits of WEE.

Take a read

DCED publications

This section provides access to the DCED’s key documents on women’s economic empowerment, produced by various DCED Working Groups. Read more about the Women’s Economic Empowerment Working Group.

General guidance

Case studies on WEE and climate change

This is a series of five briefs that challenges the dominant narrative that portrays women as victims of climate change, instead portraying women as active agents of change. Briefs 1 to 4 each highlight a different theme under the umbrella of WEE and climate change. Brief 5 presents donor good practices that emerged from the four preceding briefs, in the hope of inspiring donors to advance women‘s economic empowerment to address climate change. You may also watch a 2024 webinar co-hosted with the GGKP that featured a conversation between two of the women showcased in the briefs (en français).

The need for WEE: Economic opportunities and obstacles

Sector- and country-specific constraints and opportunities

Integrating gender and WEE into PSD programmes

Measuring gender and WEE results in PSD

Photo credits: Nata Sisvadze/ALCP Georgia, GREEN ink.