Latest news with #economicinclusion
Forbes
02-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
As Global Aid Recedes, The Need For Proven Solutions Grows
Written by Lauren Hendricks, President and CEO, Trickle Up We've entered a new era of austerity. The global pullback on international aid is still unfolding, and the sector is only beginning to process the full implications. International development foundations will need to choose between the immediate need of providing emergency supplies and providing long-term investment in economic inclusion-based poverty alleviation. This trade-off is daunting, and points to a future where choices are not about priorities, but about survival. Global development efforts face uncertainty — and communities that need aid will suffer if we do not change our approach. Yet within this sobering reality, there is also a sense of possibility. The shift in resources is pushing the sector to confront long-overdue questions and explore new models. Impact investors, philanthropic venture funds, and blended finance models are stepping in where traditional funding is pulling back. These changes mean international development groups must step up now, more than ever, to ensure that vital humanitarian and development efforts continue to reach those who need them. As global development faces growing uncertainty and shrinking aid budgets, one thing is clear: we must invest in what works, and we must embrace the knowledge and lived experience of local leaders. The Data Mandate: Prove It or Lose It As development dollars become scarcer, the pressure to demonstrate cost-effectiveness and results is only intensifying. Donors—large and small—are going to double down on data and evidence of efficacy. In the emerging funding landscape, we will need to prove not only that our poverty alleviation programs increase income, but that they improve outcomes in health, education, women's empowerment, and more. On top of that, we'll need to identify ways to reduce costs without compromising on quality and show funders that investing in economic inclusion delivers multiple returns, across sectors and across time. The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) recently published a brief that identifies six development programs that save lives, reduce disease, and help the poorest people in the world transition out of extreme poverty. Among them, only one approach has been repeatedly proven to sustainably move the most vulnerable households out of poverty: the Graduation Approach. This holistic, time-bound model equips families with the resources and support they need to build lasting livelihoods, and it works across contexts and geographies, from the remote rural communities of India, Burkina Faso, and Ethiopia, all the way to the post-conflict settings of Uganda and Colombia. Participants in economic inclusion programs continue to earn and save more than their peers even after the programs end. The benefits of the approach persist years after the programs end, with participants earning more, saving more, and experiencing greater food security and social inclusion. Plus, as household income grows, we witness life-changing outcomes in health access, education, and nutrition. A Social Return on Investment (SROI) analysis on the MPowered project—an economic inclusion program focused on women—showed that for every Indian rupee invested, the project generated INR 6.7 in social value. This is a powerful case for scaling graduation programs, especially those rooted in gender equity, digital access, and local leadership. Locally-Led Is No Longer Optional There's now an opening for national governments, local organizations, and regional institutions to step up. Leaders from the Global South represent the communities most impacted by global challenges, and they're ready to offer the clearest solutions. As traditional donors retreat, local leaders have an opportunity to reclaim ownership of the international development agenda and truly decolonize aid. And with their on-the-ground knowledge of local markets, community dynamics, and lived realities, partnering with these local leaders can unlock more effective solutions, and mobilize the funding needed to scale them. Working with local leaders to advance the international development agenda has become essential. This will require some deep shifts in mindset and practice for international NGOs. We must ask ourselves: What role do local organizations want us to play in the next chapter of development? How do we support rather than direct? And how do we shift power, resources, and decision-making to the communities we serve? A New Chapter Begins Working to support those who are experiencing extreme poverty and exclusion has never been more urgent. In the current funding climate, the Graduation approach isn't just a smart policy, it's smart economics: cost-benefit analyses show that long-term income gains often exceed the cost of implementation. In short, if we want to efficiently reduce poverty, we must fund approaches grounded in evidence—and Graduation delivers. When paired with the partnership of local leaders, the Graduation approach becomes a powerful engine for sustainable change, rooted in trust, tailored to context, and scaled for impact.
Zawya
27-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Domestic work in Egypt: A push toward formalization
While Egypt's economy often draws attention for its large infrastructure and booming tech sector, a vital yet overlooked part of the economy persists quietly: domestic work. Rooted in informal and traditional hiring practices, this sector faces challenges, including lack of transparency and workers' protection. However, a transformative shift is underway. The rise of digital platforms and new legislative efforts aimed at formalizing domestic work is opening the door to greater efficiency, accountability, and economic inclusion. This evolving dynamic promises to reshape the livelihoods of millions and influence Egypt's broader labor market future. The Evolving Landscape of Domestic Work in Egypt Domestic work in Egypt has long been rooted in informal, traditional hiring practices. Historically, Egyptian families relied on personal networks or intermediaries, often rural-urban migrants or brokers, to recruit domestic workers, most of whom were women from unprivileged backgrounds. The increased female labor force participation has driven demand for domestic services, making it a necessity for many households. In Egypt, domestic workers face serious challenges that need urgent attention. A 2022 study by Alternative Policy Solutions (APS) uncovered troubling conditions for both live-in and live-out domestic workers. The research revealed that 78% of live-in workers endured workdays exceeding 11 hours, with nearly half laboring more than 15 hours daily. According to the study, 40% reported working every day of the week, while the remainder had no more than 24 hours of rest per week. Among live-out workers, 38% said they had no days off at all. These findings highlight the sector's widespread lack of basic labor protection. Many domestic workers are hired through employment agencies. While some agencies have their own policies, such as sick leave and systems for handling complaints, none of them are fully governed by the Ministry of Manpower and Immigration. As a result, these agencies operate outside the scope of labor inspections and largely without direct accountability, as emphasized by Soha Abdelaty, APS deputy director, and Leila Roberts, researcher at APS, in their paper 'Towards Legal Protection for Egypt's Domestic Workers'. The domestic work sector also includes unregistered foreign workers, who often compete with Egyptian workers in the market. Nouran ElKhouly, an economic analyst, tells Arab Finance: 'Unregistered foreign workers contribute to the expansion of the informal sector, creating a landscape of vulnerability and unfavorable working conditions.' 'Their presence can also depress wages for local domestic workers, as employers may opt for cheaper labor. This growing informality adds pressure on the government to enforce labor regulations more effectively,' she explains. Formalizing Domestic Work The informal sector, which includes domestic work, makes up about 40% of Egypt's gross domestic product (GDP), or approximately EGP 2.6 trillion, according to the Ministry of Planning's latest reports from end-2022. Therefore, comes the need for the inclusion of domestic workers in the formal economy and the issuance of laws that protect their labor rights. For years, domestic workers have remained outside the umbrella of legal protection under the pretext of household privacy. In early May 2025, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi issued directives to draft a comprehensive law regulating the status of over one million domestic workers. These individuals include cleaners, nannies, cooks, drivers, and guards. They provide vital daily services to Egyptian households without any legal guarantees protecting them from exploitation or abuse. 'The proposal for a new law to regulate domestic work is a significant step toward improving labor conditions in the domestic services sector. This sector currently suffers from a lack of adequate organization and legal protection,' Nourhan Nour Eldin, an economist, points out. 'From an economic perspective, this law addresses the challenges of informal labor, a prevalent issue in the domestic work sector. By integrating domestic workers into the formal economy, the law can improve working conditions, boost productivity, and enhance overall market efficiency,' she adds. 'However, this law must be accompanied by a robust awareness campaign. Many workers in this sector have limited digital literacy, so it is crucial to create accessible channels that provide clear information about workers' rights and obligations. This will help ensure full integration and maximize the economic and organizational benefits of the law for all stakeholders,' Nour Eldin explains. The Rise of Domestic Worker Platforms In 2024, Egyptian employers started adopting digital platforms for domestic work. Wessam, a 29-year-old mother and teacher, tells Arab Finance: 'I prefer using digital platforms and apps to hire domestic help, rather than relying on traditional methods. They feel more trustworthy, as the platform is responsible for any issues caused by the worker. Also, they allow me to set a schedule that suits my needs, not the worker.' ElKhouly notes, 'These platforms would provide access to a broader pool of labor and help match employers with workers who have the right skills. They also increase the probability of better enforcement of regulations, thus, better working conditions. On the supply side, these platforms can cut recruitment costs and improve profitability.' Meanwhile, Nour Eldin says, 'Digital platforms and hiring apps have transformed the labor market in general. They streamline hiring processes, significantly reduce search costs, and save time for employers.' 'By utilizing advanced technologies like cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI), these platforms enhance employer-worker matching and eliminate inefficiencies in traditional hiring practices. The widespread use of smartphones and the rise of remote work further amplify these advantages,' according to Nour Eldin. ElKhouly agrees, stating: 'AI is a disruptive force across industries. Online platforms can leverage AI to improve job matching based on skills and geographic proximity. These can also provide unbiased ratings and increase security for both workers and employers.' The transformation of Egypt's domestic work sector stands as a compelling example of how tradition and innovation can intersect to drive economic and social progress. As digital platforms gain traction and legislative reforms move closer to reality, the sector is poised to shed its informality. Hence, it is set to embrace a new era defined by transparency, worker protection, and operational efficiency. © 2020-2023 Arab Finance For Information Technology. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Entrepreneur
08-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Futuremakers Women in Tech Accelerator Invites UAE-Based Female Entrepreneurs to Apply for Its Seventh Cohort
Selected women-led startups will have access to up to 550,000 AED (US$ 150,000) in equity-free funding from the Standard Chartered Foundation. You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Futuremakers Women in Tech UAE Accelerator is part of Standard Chartered's global Futuremakers program, which aims to promote economic inclusion for disadvantaged young people. It is delivered in partnership with in partnership with UAE-based impact platform Companies Creating Change (C3) and Village Capital. In the UAE, the accelerator focuses on supporting women-led tech startups through tailored training, catalytic funding, and access to world-class networks. C3 will deliver the programme locally, leveraging its proven expertise in entrepreneur support and ecosystem development. Through the initiative, selected startups will have access to up to 550,000 AED (US$ 150,000) in equity-free funding from the Standard Chartered Foundation. Across all participating markets, more than AED2.2 million (US$ 600,000) in catalytic grants will be distributed annually. Founders will also benefit from a bespoke curriculum, expert mentorship, and exposure to regional and global investors. Rola Abu Manneh, Chief Executive Officer, UAE, Middle East and Pakistan, at Standard Chartered, said, "The Futuremakers Women in Tech Accelerator reflects our commitment to advancing economic inclusion and empowering women entrepreneurs to thrive. Launching our seventh cohort in the UAE is a testament to our long-standing support for the UAE's entrepreneurial ecosystem, and to helping innovative, women-led businesses access the resources, networks, and funding they need to scale their impact. It also underlines our broader commitment to championing women's empowerment and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion across the communities we serve." The Standard Chartered Futuremakers Women in Tech Accelerator builds on the successful global track record of the Women in Tech initiative, which has supported over 4,000 women across 17 markets since inception.
