
Women of Afro-Descendance: Untapped Talent and Market for the Private Sector
The IDB Group recently launched two toolkits to support the rise of afro-descendant women in the private sector in the region.
The IDB Group recently launched two toolkits to support the rise of afro-descendant women in the private sector in the region.
By closing the technology and gender digital divide, we could add about $2 trillion to global GDP, and prevent the creation of wider gender gaps as automation replaces the less-qualified workforce, frequently women, in larger numbers.
Unconscious or not, gender biases leave millions of women on the sidelines of financial inclusion, and millions of dollars in foregone profits for banks on the table. Reducing gender bias in lending is key as the pandemic recedes, so that women-led businesses help to propel the recovery.
Investments in infrastructure are key to an inclusive and job-creating recovery, and promote access to more and better services for lower-income households. But women are still little involved in this kind of projects.
If we want the benefits of the energy transition extended to women, then private sector-led workforce development – focused on female employment in construction, currently very low – is critical.
Women face hurdles to access jobs in the high-growing renewable energy industry. More than 80% new jobs created by the decarbonization agenda will be in male-dominated sectors. Blended finance solutions are an important tool to incentivize sponsors to take proactive steps to dismantle these barriers to gender equality.