Driving gender equality through equal access to opportunities and partnership

Opportunity

Gender equality (SDG 5) is ranked amongst the top priorities of the UN Sustainable Development Goals to ensure that women are able to participate in and have equal access to economic and technological opportunities. As part of its SheMeansBusiness (SheMB) programme, Meta reached out to Pearl Consulting to engage with priority stakeholders and deliver capability-building initiatives that will demonstrate its commitment to support women-owned enterprises entering the digital economy.

The Solution

Pearl Consulting worked with local partners to co-create SheMB learning content that will increase women’s knowledge on digital marketing and financial education. To reach more beneficiaries and build lasting impact, Pearl Consulting also worked with key government partners for the implementation of the SheMB programme across 10 countries.

Steps to success

1. Identification of local partners

Pearl Consulting assessed suitable local implementation partners with rich grassroots experience in women communities. This was followed by a needs assessment to identify women-led small businesses and their training needs.

2. Development and implementation of an integrated campaign with strong messages

Pearl Consulting helped in the crafting of the public relations strategy, facilitated in-market launch events with key policy constituents, thought-leaders, media, and the community

3. Creation and delivery of capability-building initiatives to support women-led small businesses

Pearl Consulting led the co-creation and localisation of the SheMB learning modules with  implementation partners prior to its roll-out. Additionally, Pearl Consulting selected and assessed the trainers for the delivery of SheMB trainings.

4. Engagement with 19 priority stakeholders

A multi-stakeholder approach was taken to ensure the programme’s lasting ecosystem of support. This includes government and non-government organisations, micro finance institutions, and digital finance/service providers, amongst others.

A presenter talks at the front of a large room, and women sit in the autience, participating on their phones.

The Outcome

  • Pearl Consulting team was able to deliver 12 partnerships with local community organisations with 45,362 women trained in 10 countries.
  • Pearl Consulting built a strong network of advocates representing different sectors of society including governments, communities, non-governmental and think tank organisations in support of the SheMB programme. This was highlighted in 2020, 2021 and 2022, where Pearl Consulting led Meta’s participation in the United Nations General Assembly to showcase Meta’s long-term commitment towards women economic empowerment and highlight the programme’s worldwide impact.
  • In the Philippines, 60% of women indicated that the SheMB Financial Inclusion training helped them to apply for or consider applying for loans to improve their business.
  • In Pakistan, the training helped women deal with rising costs of living and inflation.
  • In Vietnam, 98.3% of women gained more proficiency in their financial management skills.
  • In Indonesia, 86% experienced an increase in buyers, 78% experienced an increase in income, and 95% expressed increased self-efficacy in running a business.
“Pearl Consulting team is very professional, creative and supportive to VWEC during the implementation of the #SheMeansBusiness programme in Vietnam."” Thao Nguyen, Vice Chairwoman, Vietnam Women Entrepreneurs Council (VWEC)