How Inclusive is Inclusive Business for Women?: Examples from Asia and Latin America

Inclusive business companies often involve women in their value chain and provide specific services that help low-income women. This report assesses the extent to which inclusive business models promote women’s economic empowerment. Examples come from the inclusive business portfolios of the Asian Development Bank Inter-American Development Bank and International Finance Corporation. The report finds that inclusive businesses are indeed bringing positive change to women’s lives and that addressing gender-based constraints also yields business benefits. However a company’s financial return and its social impact can be maximized only if companies understand and address systemic issues of gender inequality.