Mechanisms to support the empowerment of women's projects in the private sector - Policy Paper (4)

Explanatory Introduction 

Over the past five months, the Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute (MAS) has prepared a detailed study for the Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development (PWWSD), titled “Women’s Economic Empowerment in the Private Sector: Women’s Representation and Participation in Decision-Making Positions as a Necessary Tool.” In its six chapters, the study covers a wide range of topics related to women’s empowerment, such as women’s participation in the  Palestinian labor market, their work in the informal sector and unpaid care work, in addition to their participation in decision-making positions. The study also included a descriptive and diagnostic analysis of women’s participation in the labor market, a qualitative analysis of women’s entrepreneurship and a quantitative
analysis on economic violence, in addition to other topics related to women’s empowerment. 

One of the study’s chapters contains a detailed and comprehensive presentation of the research findings, and each policy summary will focus on one of the study’s main themes and present key recommendations that would enhance women’s economic empowerment. 

Brief Background 

At both the public and private levels, particularly in companies and institutions focusing on women’s entrepreneurship, women’s representation in senior corporate structures remains extremely low, with a lack of women on boards of directors and executive management. This naturally impacts policymaking
that focuses on women’s empowerment at the government and private sector levels. While financial inclusion is an essential component inseparable from economic empowerment, its importance stems from its ability to empower women to gain independence in economic decisions, such as employment.
Therefore, it is essential to discuss financial inclusion and the ability of women business owners to access financial and economic resources. Therefore this
summary attempts to provide policy recommendations to stimulate women’s economic empowerment, specifically with regard to their financial inclusion and sustainability.