Investing In Women

Investing in Women, an initiative of the Australian Government, catalyses inclusive economic growth through women’s economic empowerment in South East Asia. Established in 2016, Investing in Women tackles one of the most critical social and economic issues of our time: gender inequality. Women’s economic empowerment is not only a fundamental aspect of promoting gender equality, but it is vital to enhancing business competitiveness, fueling inclusive economic growth and building equitable societies. Investing in Women uses innovative approaches to improve women’s economic participation as employees and as entrepreneurs and to influence the enabling environment to promote women’s economic empowerment in the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam and Myanmar through: • Workplace Gender Equality (WGE) – We support Business Coalitions who work with influential businesses on shifting workplace cultures, practices and policy barriers to achieve WGE; • Impact Investment for Women’s SMEs – We partner with Impact Investors and ecosystem builders to expand market opportunities for women, with a view to incentivising and catalysing access to capital for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) – led by and responsive to the needs of women; and • Influencing Gender Norms – We work with partners to positively shift attitudes and practices to support women in the world of work. In collaboration with corporations and business leaders, impact investors, entrepreneurs and advocates, we are working with those who are driving change for women’s economic equality in our region. By 2023, the project aims to: • Increase Gender Equality - More businesses achieve gender equality in their workplace • Increase investment in SMEs - Intentional impact investment in women entrepreneurs increases • Support women's voices - Achieve positive shifts in gender norms that support women’s economic participation