FDI has an important role when it comes to advancing gender balance.
The starting point
A 2015 McKinsey report indicates that advancing women’s equality can add $12 trillion to global growth. The observation is clear: "Gender inequality is not only a pressing moral and social issue but also a critical economic challenge. If women—who account for half the world’s working-age population—do not achieve their full economic potential, the global economy will suffer."
Women In FDI (Win FDI) is a pro-bono initiative that seeks to better understand what the role of FDI is when it comes to advancing women equality. This informal network convenes practitioners, consultants and other professionals working in the industry of attracting investment or promoting a location. Together we aim to help the industry step practical steps to advance gender empowerment.
We are working on 2 different streams:
#1: FDI & gender advancement
What does Women in FDI mean in practice?
Whilst there is solid academic research about the link between trade & gender, with international campaigns such as #SheTrades or tailored export support programmes for female-led companies, the question of gender & foreign direct investment is one that only is being explored recently. We need to think this through and find evidence to support our views.
We are out there speaking to people to understand the space and identify tools and methodologies that can show us a path.
