New Gender report shows inclusion aligned with improved business performance
The report showed clear business performance improvements when a gender-lens is applied to areas including sales, marketing, market research, customer service and hiring.
Four years on, a follow-up report based on research conducted by Value for Women (VfW) and co-funded with UK aid from the UK government presents nine case studies that build the evidence base for gender-forward business practices in action.
The report shows how a business-based approach to gender inclusion does more than just benefit women as entrepreneurs, employees and consumers. Gender inclusion is a performance strategy aligned with more profitable and sustainable business models.
- 74% of SMEs that track impacts of gender-inclusive (GI) policies reported positive impacts on employee satisfaction, productivity, and retention.
- One business saw both a 38% decrease in processing time and a doubling of daily incomes for women farmers following the implementation of gender-inclusive strategies around productivity.
- 68% of SMEs that implemented GI strategies in R&D, Marketing, Sales, Customer Service, and Distribution & Logistics reported improvements in customer satisfaction; 60% reported improvements in brand recognition.
- 43% of SMEs that implemented gender-inclusive strategies in R&D, Sales, Marketing, or Customer Service reported increased sales revenue; 42% reported increased client retention.
The report concludes with calls to action for investors, SMEs and Ecosystem actors, and includes an “Inclusive Business Growth Framework”, a standardised assessment process that uses business and investor data to identify gaps and opportunities for gender inclusion.