Study on “Stimulating Women’s Entrepreneurship through Affirmative Public and Private Procurement in Pakistan”

Client: UN Women Procurement

Date: July – November 2018 (25 days)

As part of the Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Program under Flagship Programming Initiatives (FPI), UN Women aims at “stimulating equal opportunities for women entrepreneurs through affirmative procurement, investment and supply chain policies”. Public and private sector procurement offers a unique, fiscally responsible route to empower women, combat poverty and promote inclusive economic growth since public procurement accounts for as much as 10–15 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in developed countries and over 30 percent of GDP in developing countries.

As a consortium partner with ENCLUDE and Reenergia, Mera Maan undertook a study aimed at producing a research-based report by laying forth findings and recommendations using two- pronged approach:

  • Appraisals of public and private procurement policies through gender lens

Primary research aimed at understanding the challenges and entry points faced by WOBs using two perspectives lens; demand side (private and public procuring agencies) and supplier side (women owned and women led businesses).