An independent report from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) details how the Bloomberg Philanthropies Women’s Economic Development Initiative is helping women develop marketable skills in Rwanda, Nigeria and the DRC and how it can be replicated in other countries.
Women can create economic growth for themselves, their families, and their communities—if they have access to the right resources. Women and girls make up nearly 1.2 billion people living in extreme poverty around the world and the Bloomberg initiative, working with Women for Women International and other partners, aims to improve women's economic growth through individualized program plans. The evaluation measured participants’ ability to earn and save money; improve their health and well-being; influence decisions in their homes and communities; and connect to networks for support and advocacy. It found that despite the difficulties of operating in three post-conflict countries, the program produced large-scale economic improvements for hundreds of thousands of women and led to increased educational opportunities and political engagement.