Gender and Economic Agency Initiative (GEA): An overview of research opportunities

This framing paper highlights potential research topics of interest to Gender and Economic Agency Initiative (GEA) and references key lessons from the existing global evidence base. These topics are categorized into three themes: 1) workplace arrangements and labor policies to promote formal and informal employment for women, 2) enhancing women’s labor potential and work readiness (including self-employment), and 3) addressing restrictive gender norms and attitudes related to women’s work. Additionally, in the appendix, we reference policies and program relevant for each theme across GEA’s five priority countries (Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda) and identified through our scoping process. The aim is to note potential opportunities for evaluation as J-PAL affiliated researchers develop research projects related to enhancing women’s work in these priority countries.