NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Fragile and Conflict Affected States (FCAS) present both unique challenges as well as opportunities in terms of women’s economic empowerment. Women are often the most vulnerable during and in the aftermath of conflict, as many might be left without families or traditional support mechanisms. However, conflict can also bring about major shifts in the social roles that women play, with the proportion of female-headed households often increasing and women assuming more economic responsibility within the household and market.

This webinar will explore how development practitioners can work with market actors in fragile, conflict-affected and post-conflict states to promote women’s economic empowerment and inclusion. Drawing on specific examples from AWEF’s work in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and the GROW project in Liberia, as well as a cross-section of case studies looking at financial inclusion specifically, the speakers will share practical lessons on how practitioners can adapt their approach to women’s empowerment and inclusion when working in what are often very thin and aid-dependant markets. Presenters will look in particular at practices that aim to empower poor and disadvantaged women to ensure that women are not left behind as part of the market recovery processes.