Increasing gender gaps in the world of work demonstrate the deep and persistent barriers that women face to realise their economic rights and opportunities. COVID-19 has further deepened gender inequalities, and climate change is threatening women’s and girls’ lives, livelihoods and economic opportunities. At the same time, an inclusive green transition holds break-through potential for unlocking women’s economic opportunities. This report provides evidence on how sustainable approaches to women’s entrepreneurship, formal and informal work, and redefining the concept of green jobs, can lead to a green, inclusive and gender-just future.
The report recommends that all actors must prioritise gender equality in the transition to green economies, by integrating a gender lens in green work policies, proactively addressing the barriers to women’s economic justice and generating new and decent green work opportunities for women. It also means broadening the current definition of green jobs to include low-carbon and sustainable forms of work such as care work, working with the private sector to complement public action, and fostering women’s leadership both, in the response to the climate crisis and in the green transition.
