Models of Gender-Sensitive Procurement Used by International Aid Entities

Abstract

This review investigates the different models that major international aid entities use to implement gender-sensitive procurement (GSP) in their own operations. It is based on a rapid survey of 40 such multilateral, bilateral, and non-profit organisations conducted by email. Of the 15 organisations that provided information, only a few are systematically implementing gender-sensitive procurement (GSP) in their own operations, while several others are piloting or considering it. By far the most common model is to increase sourcing from businesses owned and/or controlled by women. Other frequent models include: sourcing from suppliers that internally advance equality or empowerment for women (e.g. gender balance, representation of women at all levels, good gender equality policies); or sourcing from suppliers that commit to recruiting a percentage of women for the contract.