How to grow women-owned businesses : policy brief

Abstract

The lessons presented here are based on literature review and consultation with 25 experts from the public, private, and academic sectors. The consultation was organized by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC ), WEConnect International, and Urban Institute in Washington, DC, on May 17, 2016. The analysis covers evidence on women-owned enterprises and how their productivity can be enhanced, with particular focus on SMEs. While much of the available information, including IFC databases, focuses on formally registered enterprises, this review also addresses unregistered businesses, by tapping data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) and training program evaluations, which are not exclusive to the formal sector.