Evidence That Drives Gender-transformative Change: Lessons from Three Countries

On 27 May 2025, the year-long research project “Enhancing the evidence base for gender-transformative Business Environment Reforms in selected OACPS member states” concluded with a virtual event bringing together policymakers, researchers and practitioners.  

Around the world, governments are working to create reforms to empower women to fully participate in and drive economic growth. The logic is undeniable: when women thrive, so do economies. But which reforms are actually delivering results? What approaches are falling short? And how can we do better? 

To explore these questions, the ICR Facility launched an ambitious research effort to examine the impact of gender transformative reforms in three selected countries, namely: Côte d’Ivoire, the Dominican Republic, and Rwanda. The goal was to go beyond theory and gather real-world evidence on what gender-transformative reforms look like in practice, and what kind of impact they’re having on the ground.  

The findings were brought to life in a final webinar, designed to foster cross-country learning and inspire new impactful reforms. The audience had the opportunity to hear about the findings in Côte d’Ivoire, the Dominican Republic, and Rwanda regarding what is working, what is not, and why. Policymakers from across OACPS member states also shared their own valuable perspectives and practical insights drawn from their own experiences. 

The event opened with remarks from representatives of the ICR Facility, the OACPS and the European Union, with each explaining their commitment to supporting the research, i.e. a resolute commitment to closing gender gaps in economic life. Their message was clear:  when women have equal access to opportunities, drive growth and strengthen society and economies all over the world.  

The research project’s lead shared how they approached the work: grounded in local realities, led by in-country experts, and built on voices from the field. More than 150 key informant interviews, 17 focus group discussions, and nearly 400 surveys – primarily women working in the informal economy – provided the foundation. Validation and feedback were central to the process. Insights were shared and refined through six virtual and three in-person workshops, which brought together stakeholders to examine the link between reforms and real-world outcomes for women’s economic empowerment. 

Each of the three selected countries had implemented distinct legal reforms to advance women’s inclusion, particularly in areas such as marriage, inheritance, and financial access. While the research found positive signs of progress in all three countries, it also showcased persistent gaps between legislation and implementation.  Access to finance emerged as a common obstacle for women in all three countries – especially for those seeking to start or grow their own businesses. In many cases, women face not just institutional hurdles, but deep-rooted cultural barriers that limit both their financial inclusion and social mobility.  

One challenge echoed across all three countries: the informal sector. Women are overrepresented in it, and that not only restricts their access to credit and legal protections; it also increases exposure to exploitation and corrupt practices.  

The event closed with a powerful reminder that, while progress is made, no country can afford to leave half its population behind.