Engendering Industries Program Results

USAID’s Engendering Industries partners have implemented nearly 450 actions and interventions to increase gender equality in their organizations, and report tangible improvements in business performance as a result.

USAID’s Engendering Industries program supports 41 organizations across 27 countries to increase gender equality in male-dominated industries, including the energy and water sectors. Using the program’s Best Practices Framework for Male-Dominated Industries, the program provides partners with the tools and resources they need to implement gender equality interventions across the employee life cycle. This is coupled with demand-driven change management coaching by the program’s equality experts, and participation in the Gender Equity Executive Leadership Program (GEELP), a 12-month course developed and delivered in partnership with Georgetown University McDonough School of Business.

Project Impact by the Numbers (2017–2020)

Gender Equality

• $1.15M in direct and in-kind investment by partner organizations to implement gender equality initiatives
• 1,115 women hired by partner organizations through 44 recruitment and hiring initiatives; 7 percent into leadership roles and 22 percent into technical roles
• 995 women promoted; 28 percent into leadership roles and 29 percent into technical roles
• 6,105 female employees trained at partner organizations on technical and soft skills to advance their careers
• 2,066 female students and job seekers reached through 52 school outreach and recruitment events
• 220 girls enrolled in internships and trainee programs
• 443 gender equality best practices implemented across the employee life cycle
• 57 policies related to gender equality created at partner organizations

Business Performance

• 11 partner organizations directly attribute coaching efforts to increased employee retention
• 5 partner organizations explicitly linked increased gender equality to decreased revenue loss
• 3 partner organizations credit gender equality initiatives with improved image and reputation

About Engendering Industries

GridCo Technicians

Ryan Kilpatrick / USAID

Launched in 2015, USAID’s Engendering Industries program supports organizations in developing countries to increase economic opportunities for women and improve gender equality in the workplace. Expanding women’s participation in male-dominated sectors leads to tangible economic empowerment outcomes for women, such as formal employment opportunities and higher income. Increased gender equality also improves an organization’s business performance, helping companies meet their bottom-line by enhancing employee satisfaction, reducing turnover, and driving productivity. Well-functioning organizations are also vital in supporting stronger and more resilient economies. Through a customized best practices framework, demand-driven coaching, and a Gender Equity Executive Leadership Program, Engendering Industries builds the capacity of leaders to implement gender equality interventions that increase the professional participation of women and improve business performance.

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