Gender Session at ADB’s Inclusive Business Forum Asia, 17 February 2016 How Inclusive is Inclusive Business for Women? Key findings of the report Sonomi Tanaka, ADB and Isabel von Blomberg, Endeva

profit social impact Mainstream Business Inclusive Business Setting the scene: Inclusive business Social Enterprise

Interactive exercise Are you an IB expert or a gender expert? What sector do you represent?

Women are disproportionately poor Women have made less progress out of poverty than men They have multiple commitments They have limited control over resources and decisions Source: UN Women %

Inclusive businesses target the poor - and hence women Often, women already are a critical part of their value chain. Or they represent a growth market.

IBs can benefit women implicitly or explicitly IBs often benefit women implicitly, focusing on issues relevant to low-income women. Some IBs specifically tailor their business models to the needs of women.

However, creating benefits for women is not as easy as it seems Business aiming include women face challenges due to: Multiple commitments of women Gender-based expectations Lack of rights and agency Lack of skills IBs have to adapt their strategies for mutual benefit.

Strategies include: Creating support infrastructure Working with partners Engaging husbands and families Reaching out to women directly Investing in building women’s skills IBs that succeed in including women consider gender norms and constraints Businesses need to build a deep understanding of the social context within which women act.

However, level of IBs that explicitly benefit women is still low Concerted action from various actors is required to bring about effective change! Disclaimer: This analysis is not complete, and more evidence is needed! IB that explicitly benefit women 13 91

Companies: develop higher-impact business models Investors: become gender-savvy Policymakers: create right conditions Development partners: coordinate action and seed innovation Knowledge agents: apply gender- sensitive analyses You can all help to leverage the potential of IBs to empower women!

Speakers Vijaybhasker Srinivas Head of Process Control LifeSpring Hospitals Mara Chiorean Executive Director CSR Asia Saud Ahmed Pasha Director for Agribusiness Engro Foods