Gender Lens Investing
Community of Practice
A growing body of evidence suggests that identifying effective ways to support women as entrepreneurs, leaders, employees, and consumers will increase gender equity, reduce poverty, and promote more inclusive and robust economic growth.
Women in the global economy today represent a growth market that is estimated to be bigger than that of China and India combined. Canada’s impact investors are demonstrating leadership in propelling the gender lens investing movement forward by using their resources to contribute to greater gender equality and improve the lives of women, girls and populations at risk worldwide.
The 2X Challenge, launched in Canada at the 2018 G7 Charlevoix Summit and led by the G7 development finance institutions, including FinDev Canada, is mobilizing capital at-scale for gender lens investing. Oversubscribed by more than double its original US$3 billion targets, the 2X Challenge set an ambitious new target to raise US$15 billion by the end of 2022.
Source: https://www.2xcollaborative.org/
What is Gender Lens Investing?
GLI Case Studies
Gender lens investing (GLI) is the integration of gender analysis into a new or existing investment process in order to achieve better social and financial outcomes. In a nutshell, GLI addresses the systematic barriers that prevent the equitable flow of demand-driven capital to women investors, entrepreneurs, as well as firms that employ women and/or have women in their supply chains.
In 2023 and again in 2024, we published a series of GLI case studies showcasing exemplary GLI initiatives undertaken by CAFIID members. These case studies serve as practical examples of GLI in action, inspiring further engagement and innovation in the field.
Member-Generated Content
Additional Resources
Past Events
Gender Lens Investing Community of Practice
We represent over 30 CAFIID members who work across Latin America, Africa and Asia in a range of sectors and employ various GLI strategies. We celebrate the diversity of our community and encourage members to join in the conversations no matter what stage they are at in their gender journey.
Together, we can do so much more!
The Gender Lens Investing Community of Practice (GLI CoP) is open to all CAFIID members and generally meets virtually for one hour on the first Thursday of each month from 1:00 pm - 2:00 EST.
Steering Committee Members
Sabina Bharwani - Independent Consultant, CAFIID Board Director
Carolyn Burns - Independent Consultant, CAFIID Board Director
Carolina Robino - IDRC
Katie Turner - Gender Lens Investing Consultant
