Currently, 40% of all those employed in the Western Balkans are women, but more than 23% of them hold insecure jobs. Only 27.5% of business owners in the Western Balkans are women, and just 14.2% of companies’ top managers are female. The share of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) occupations is 14% due to gender stereotypes, pay gaps and gender bias that prevent many girls in the region from choosing an education in STEM fields.

The Regional Cooperation Council and UNDP have therefore launched the Women’s Economic Empowerment Initiative. The main goal of this initiative is to encourage reforms that will foster women’s participation and leadership in the economy, reducing gender gaps and promoting further economic development of the region. More specifically, the initiative will establish a Regional Network of Women in STEM, prepare an action plan to advance women’s involvement in STEM fields, facilitate regional dialogue leading to women’s economic empowerment initiatives, and increase knowledge and awareness about women’s active role in society, including their contribution to economic growth and sustainable development.

The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) is co-funded by the European Union.