Panel II: Working with Women: Donor Approaches

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) makes an economic rather than a rights-based argument for gender equality. Projects that are gender-neutral by design and do not consider women’s needs have diluted results. On the other hand, women-only projects tend to be less effective because they are disconnected from each other and the rest of development programs. The most effective women’s projects meet men’s expectations as well. Before implementing a program in a given country, the MCC investigates that country’s institutional arrangements such as tax and inheritance policies to ensure that gender considerations are internalized.

State Department programs such as the African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program have prompted several incubators and major trade deals for women in several African countries.

Although USAID has a specific office dedicated to microenterprise, one of the biggest challenges has been a greater emphasis on small and medium-sized enterprises as levers for economic growth. If banks ensure available capital, however, different sizes of businesses can be successful and contribute to inclusive economic growth.

While entrepreneurship is important, not every woman is an entrepreneur. That is why it is also important for donors to consider the business environment for small and medium-sized enterprises that can hire women and drive economic growth.