Gender Dimensions of Investment Climate Reform : A Guide for Policy Makers and Practitioners

Promoting women's economic empowerment is increasingly seen as an important driving force behind economic growth and the fight against poverty. Women's economic participation as entrepreneurs, employees, and leaders is recognized as a measure of a country's economic viability and dynamism. The guide starts with a brief section on the economic rationale for gender inclusion in investment climate reform work. It is then divided into nine modules. Recognizing the socioeconomic dimensions of gender-focused work, the core module outlines the broader, overarching framework within which gender-informed investment climate work can take place. It also focuses on the monitoring and evaluation framework, with particular emphasis on establishing appropriate baselines to facilitate the measurement of gender-informed changes in the business environment. The eight thematic modules provide specific guidance on key investment climate issues comprising: (i) public-private dialogue, (ii) business start-up and operation, (iii) business taxation, (iv) trade logistics, (v) secured lending, (vi) alternative dispute resolution, (vii) special economic zones, and (viii) foreign investment policy and promotion. Thematic modules are designed to guide the reader through the project cycle and present the three-step process: (a) diagnostic, (b) solution design, and (c) implementation and monitoring and evaluation.