Promoting the increased participation of women in leadership and decision-making in co-ops, community-based savings and credit organizations, and development NGOs and POs engaged in the promotion of co-ops. The varied activities include training on the vision of transformative leadership.

Enhancing women’s entrepreneurial skills and advocating the mobilization of co-op resources to support women-owned and/or women-managed enterprises.

This program also involves advocating for co-ops to set up co-op business development centers (BDCs) to provide services to members who have micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs); build capacities of women entrepreneurs, especially those in micro-enterprises; provide micro-finance, education, and skills upgrading, physical space/facilities, access to appropriate low-cost technology, and information and communication technology; and other services.

Analyzing the gender impact of cross-cutting issues affecting co-ops and community-based savings and credit organizations in Asia; and lobbying for policy change supportive of co-ops and women at the local and international levels.

Advocating for co-ops to use their resources for support services to women members in response to practical and strategic needs, such as micro-credit, training on non-traditional trades, literacy classes, childcare, and assistance to women victims of violence and their protection. 

Enabling co-ops, community-based savings and credit organizations, and development non-government organizations (NGOs) and people’s organizations (POs) to mainstream and integrate gender concerns and perspectives in their policies, programs, and activities.