Gender in Informal Economy Training Course

Gender in Informal Economy Training Course

Introduction

The informal economy represents a significant portion of global employment, particularly in developing regions, yet it remains under-researched in terms of gender dynamics. Women and marginalized groups are disproportionately represented in informal sectors, often facing precarious work conditions, wage gaps, limited social protections, and barriers to entrepreneurship. Understanding the intersection of gender and informal economic participation is critical for designing inclusive policies, interventions, and sustainable livelihood programs. Gender in Informal Economy Training Course provides participants with insights into the structural, social, and economic factors shaping gendered experiences in informal economies, enabling evidence-based decision-making and advocacy for equitable economic empowerment.

This training combines theoretical frameworks with practical applications, case studies, and participatory methodologies to equip participants with actionable skills. It emphasizes gender-sensitive analysis, policy formulation, and community engagement to foster resilience, equity, and social justice in informal economic settings. Participants will gain competencies in assessing informal labor markets, promoting women’s entrepreneurship, and leveraging digital tools for financial inclusion, ensuring that gender-responsive strategies translate into tangible outcomes.

Course Duration

5 days

Course Objectives

1. Understand the gender dynamics within informal economies globally and locally.
2. Analyze barriers to women’s participation and economic empowerment.
3. Evaluate social protection policies affecting informal workers.
4. Explore gender-responsive entrepreneurship opportunities.
5. Apply tools for gender-sensitive labor market analysis.
6. Examine wage gaps and occupational segregation in informal sectors.
7. Identify strategies to formalize informal businesses equitably.
8. Enhance access to financial inclusion for women and marginalized groups.
9. Assess policy interventions promoting inclusive economic growth.
10. Integrate digital solutions for informal sector innovation.
11. Strengthen advocacy skills for gender equity in economic policies.
12. Promote sustainable livelihoods for informal sector workers.
13. Develop evidence-based case studies and action plans for gender-responsive programs.

Target Audience

1. Government policymakers and labor ministry officials
2. Development practitioners and NGO staff
3. Social protection and microfinance professionals
4. Gender specialists and researchers
5. Community leaders and informal sector associations
6. Entrepreneurship and SME support organizations
7. Academia and students in economics and social sciences
8. Private sector actors engaging informal markets

Course Modules

Module 1: Overview of the Informal Economy

• Defining informal economy and labor market structures
• Gendered participation trends
• Economic significance and social impact
• Global and regional case studies
• Case study: Challenges and opportunities for women

Module 2: Gender and Labor Market Analysis

• Tools for gender-sensitive labor assessments
• Occupational segregation in informal sectors
• Wage disparity analysis
• Informal labor rights and protections
• Case study: Women street vendors in Nairobi

Module 3: Social Protection and Informal Workers

• Types of social protection for informal sectors
• Gender gaps in social safety nets
• Policy analysis frameworks
• Best practices for inclusivity
• Case study: Micro-insurance for female informal workers

Module 4: Women’s Entrepreneurship in Informal Economy

• Barriers to women’s business entry
• Access to capital and markets
• Networking and mentorship strategies
• Legal and regulatory considerations
• Case study: Female-owned micro-enterprises in India

Module 5: Financial Inclusion and Digital Tools

• Mobile banking and fintech solutions
• Savings and credit groups for women
• Digital literacy and capacity building
• Gender-responsive financial policies
• Case study: M-Pesa’s impact on women traders in Kenya

Module 6: Policy Formulation and Advocacy

• Integrating gender in economic policies
• Lobbying and advocacy strategies
• Monitoring and evaluation frameworks
• Stakeholder engagement
• Case study: Gender-sensitive informal sector reforms in Latin America

Module 7: Sustainable Livelihoods and Social Innovation

• Climate and environmental considerations in informal sectors
• Promoting green jobs for women
• Community-based innovation approaches
• Social enterprise models
• Case study: Women-led recycling cooperatives in Brazil

Module 8: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Impact Assessment

• Designing gender-responsive indicators
• Data collection and analysis
• Measuring socio-economic impact
• Reporting and scaling best practices
• Case study: Informal sector development program evaluation in Uganda

Training Methodology

This course employs a participatory and hands-on approach to ensure practical learning, including:

• Interactive lectures and presentations.
• Group discussions and brainstorming sessions.
• Hands-on exercises using real-world datasets.
• Role-playing and scenario-based simulations.
• Analysis of case studies to bridge theory and practice.
• Peer-to-peer learning and networking.
• Expert-led Q&A sessions.
• Continuous feedback and personalized guidance.

Register as a group from 3 participants for a Discount

Send us an email: info@datastatresearch.org or call +254724527104 

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a globally- recognized certificate.

Tailor-Made Course

 We also offer tailor-made courses based on your needs.

Key Notes

a. The participant must be conversant with English.

b. Upon completion of training the participant will be issued with an Authorized Training Certificate

c. Course duration is flexible and the contents can be modified to fit any number of days.

d. The course fee includes facilitation training materials, 2 coffee breaks, buffet lunch and A Certificate upon successful completion of Training.

e. One-year post-training support Consultation and Coaching provided after the course.

f. Payment should be done at least a week before commence of the training, to DATASTAT CONSULTANCY LTD account, as indicated in the invoice so as to enable us prepare better for you.