Answer:
Canada believes that inclusive growth requires the full and equal participation of women in the economy. In most countries, gender inequalities are greater among the poor. Canada has identified inclusive growth as an area for action because it is central to poverty reduction. Inclusive growth, development and sustainable peace are not possible unless women and girls are valued and empowered.
Canada’s international assistance will help build a more inclusive and prosperous world. Such a world will achieve gender equality, with women and girls equally contributing to and benefiting from economic opportunities.
Canada will support inclusive economic growth that helps the poorest, most vulnerable and marginalized generate, participate and benefit from economic activity. This includes support for sustainable agriculture, entrepreneurship, producer associations and cooperatives. It also means support to develop micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises and to provide access to decent work, particularly for women.
Inclusive growth: expanding the benefits
Over the past three decades, the world has made impressive gains in reducing poverty. Economic growth has helped lift more than one billion people out of extreme poverty in the developing world. In many countries, economic growth has resulted in increased incomes, better access to goods and services, and improved living standards. The private sector, which creates nine out of 10 jobs in developing and emerging countries, is essential to this growth.
At the same time, millions of people around the world continue to face poverty and inequality. An estimated 10.7% of the world’s population (766 million people) still lives in extreme poverty, on less than US$1.90 a day on average. The benefits of economic growth have not reached everyone equally, especially women.
Many countries now agree that a new approach to economic growth and development is required for poverty reduction. This would help achieve Goal 8 of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development regarding decent work and economic growth. There should be better income distribution and improved access to, and management of, human, financial and natural resources.
Empowering women and youth economically offers a real way of making sure growth reaches the poorest and most vulnerable. It will also address the gender gaps that hold back growth and perpetuate poverty.
Promoting women’s economic empowerment and rights
Gender inequalities are usually greater among the poor, particularly in the areas of education, health and economic opportunities. Women shoulder more unpaid work and have less access to resources and financial services than men. This undermines the ability of women to undertake paid economic activities. In developing countries, women’s work is concentrated in the agricultural sector, and in low-paying and gender-segregated jobs with few social protections.
Yet women have the ability to transform their countries' economies and societies, as well as their own households. Women can do this if provided with equal access to resources and education, and if men do unpaid care work equally. Investing in women and girls is the right thing to do to fully realize gender equality. It is also the smart way to reduce poverty and inequality. Gender equality ensures that women and girls have opportunities to contribute to, and benefit equally from, economic growth.
To advance women’s economic empowerment and rights, Canada will:
support the full participation of women in economic decision-making and leadership;
help improve economic opportunities for rural women, focusing on improved incomes and productivity through sustainable agriculture
support technical and vocational training and entrepreneurship for women, including access to value chains
promote financial inclusion for women and equal access to capital, markets, digital technology and business development services
help increase access to decent and higher-value work for women, in line with international standards
promote labour, land, inheritance and property rights for women
help address unpaid work and care by supporting policy reforms and improved social protection
Improving our effectiveness: leveraging investment
Developing countries can become Canada’s future trading partners, creating opportunities for our own economy and middle class. The Government of Canada is developing a progressive trade agenda that will help ensure gender equality is fully considered in trade negotiations.
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