Joining Forces for Gender Equality:Women and the social economy

This chapter starts by showing the relevance of the social economy as a labour market for women. It then shows that existing gender gaps in leadership and pay are relatively limited in the social economy. The chapter highlights that entities that have a social purpose and/or flexible working conditions attract women to the social economy, but it also stresses the risk of “dual labour market dynamics” limiting women to what is traditionally perceived as “women’s jobs or roles”. After analysing women’s employment in the social economy, the chapter provides policy recommendations to further recognise their work and leadership in the field. It also suggests ways to increase women’s participation in high-growth sectors within the social economy, such as technology-intensive and green sectors.