
Improving Economies for Stronger Communities (IESC)
2000 M Street NW
Suite 250
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: 202-589-2600
Email: iesc@iesc.org
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Women make enormous contributions to the global economy. Unfortunately, they remain disproportionately affected by poverty, discrimination, and exploitation. We are committed to equitable, sustainable economic development that addresses gender inequality. We incorporate gender and women’s empowerment principles in every aspect of our work, from design to implementation. As a result, our programs are not just strengthening businesses and economies – they are building more equitable, empowered communities.
IESC is committed to equitable, sustainable economic development. We consider gender and women’s empowerment principles in every aspect of our programs, from design to implementation. By making these principles a core part of our work, we ensure that our programs are not just strengthening businesses and economies; they are building more equitable, empowered communities.
IESC proudly endorses the Minimum Standards for Mainstreaming Gender.
In Afghanistan, we brought gender integration to the nation’s most critical ministry, the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, which now has adopted a national strategy on women in agriculture and other official gender policies. We trained more than 1,600 civil servants (women and men) on gender issues.
In Lebanon, IESC reached more women borrowers by training women loan officers, encouraging hiring more women, and providing gender sensitivity training to microfinance institutions.
In Mali, IESC commits women entrepreneurs and business owners, piloting a successful mentoring program—women mentoring women—to support women to grow their business and connect with other women business owners.