What is the Towards Gender Equality in FDI initiative? (TGEinFDI)

Towards Gender Equality in FDI (TGEinFDI) is a global initiative to draw attention to and further advance gender equality in the field of economic development, FDI and investment promotion. TGEinFDI is an international platform for practitioners, executives, and scholars to exchange ideas and best practices, share news and achievements, as well as unite and initiate collaborations on gender equality in the context of economic development. TGEinFDI aims to provide helpful and practical resources and inspiration for investment promotion agencies and FDI specialists across all continents. Coordinated by FDI Center, TGEinFDI activities include a monthly newsletter, an interview series, digital and physical events such as community meetings and more planned for and with the global TGEinFDI community. This initiative is a collaborative effort, where contributions from community members and exchange are highly welcome and encouraged.

Why is gender equality in FDI important?

Gender equality in FDI is important for both the host and home countries of FDI, as well as for the global economy and society. Here are some of the benefits of gender equality in FDI:

• Economic growth: Gender equality in FDI can increase the productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness of firms and sectors by tapping into the diverse talents, perspectives, and experiences of women.

• Social welfare: Gender equality in FDI can improve the health, education, and well-being of women and their families by increasing their income, autonomy, and access to resources and services.

• Innovation: Gender equality in FDI can foster innovation by bringing new ideas, solutions, and products to the market that address the needs and preferences of different groups of consumers.

What are the challenges and opportunities for achieving gender equality in FDI?

There are many factors that affect the relationship between FDI and gender equality, such as:

• The sector, type, and quality of FDI: Some sectors of FDI may offer better opportunities for women than others. For example, a study by the OECD found that women are underrepresented in high-value-added sectors of FDI, such as information and communication technology (ICT), science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and green industries.

• The institutional and cultural context of the host and home countries: The legal frameworks, social norms, and cultural values of the host and home countries may influence the attitudes and behaviors of investors and workers towards gender equality. For instance, some countries may have more or less supportive policies and regulations for women’s participation in the labor market than others.

• The gender composition and skills of the workforce: The availability and quality of human capital may affect the attractiveness and performance of FDI, since some countries may have more or less skilled female workers than others.

• The gender norms and attitudes of the investors and the society: The perceptions and expectations of investors and society may affect the decisions and outcomes of FDI because some of them may have bias views or stereotypes about women’s roles and abilities than others.

These factors can create gaps or trends in FDI and gender equality that need to be addressed or leveraged by the sector itself.

How can you join the TGE in FDI initiative?

If you are interested in joining the TGE in FDI initiative, you can:

• View the TGE in FDI webinars to learn more about the initiative and its activities.

• Subscribe to the TGE in FDI newsletter to receive updates and invitations to upcoming events.

• Follow the FDI Center LinkedIn page to connect with other FDI professionals and experts.

• Join the TGE in FDI LinkedIn group to share your insights, questions, and feedback on gender equality in FDI.  

• Contact the TGE in FDI team to express your interest, suggestions, interest as a speaker or collaboration opportunities at kr@fdi-center.com (Kathryn Rothwell) or lf@fdi-center.com (Laura Figón).  

The TGE in FDI initiative is open to anyone who is interested in the intersection of gender and foreign direct investment. Whether you are an IPA, an economic development organization, a foreign investor, or a government official, you are welcome to join the initiative and contribute to its vision and mission.

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