Promoting gender equality and women’s economic empowerment in enterprise development
The Women's Entrepreneurship Development programme
The ILO’s Women’s Entrepreneurship Development (ILO-WED) programme supports women to start, formalize, sustain and grow their businesses by addressing the structural barriers that limit their opportunities. Anchored in a transformative approach, ILO-WED works across multiple levels to tackle harmful social norms, advance inclusive policies and regulations, and improve access to markets, support services and decent work.
Having worked in close to 70 countries, ILO-WED promotes women’s entrepreneurship as a pathway to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment for decent work and inclusive economic growth.
Read more about ILO-WED's programme vision and priorities for 2025–2030.
ILO topic portal on women’s entrepreneurship
Access all ILO resources on women’s entrepreneurship.
Three pillars for a transformative approach
ILO-WED Pillar 1
Supportive social norms, attitudes and gender relations
ILO-WED Pillar 2
Enabling, transformative policy and legal environment
ILO-WED Pillar 3
Gender-responsive support services, inclusive markets and decent work
Key resources
Guidance note on just transition and women’s entrepreneurship development
Strengthening childcare provision in Moldova through public and private efforts – opportunities and constraints
ILO-WED Programme
Charting ILO efforts in women's entrepreneurship development with a look to the future
Get in touch
ILO-WED is committed to dismantling systemic barriers, unlocking the full potential of women entrepreneurs and advancing decent work for all. In the years ahead, the programme will deepen partnerships, scale what works and drive transformative change to ensure women have the tools, opportunities and rights they need to succeed and lead.
We invite governments, social partners, development actors and other stakeholders to join us in promoting women’s entrepreneurship development around the world.
Get in touch to find out more:
Email: [email protected]
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