Introduction

The informal economy represents a significant portion of global employment, particularly in developing regions, yet it remains under-researched in terms of gender dynamics. Women and marginalized groups are disproportionately represented in informal sectors, often facing precarious work conditions, wage gaps, limited social protections, and barriers to entrepreneurship. Understanding the intersection of gender and informal economic participation is critical for designing inclusive policies, interventions, and sustainable livelihood programs. Gender in Informal Economy Training Course provides participants with insights into the structural, social, and economic factors shaping gendered experiences in informal economies, enabling evidence-based decision-making and advocacy for equitable economic empowerment.

This training combines theoretical frameworks with practical applications, case studies, and participatory methodologies to equip participants with actionable skills. It emphasizes gender-sensitive analysis, policy formulation, and community engagement to foster resilience, equity, and social justice in informal economic settings. Participants will gain competencies in assessing informal labor markets, promoting women’s entrepreneurship, and leveraging digital tools for financial inclusion, ensuring that gender-responsive strategies translate into tangible outcomes.

Programme Curriculum

Gender in Informal Economy Training Course

Introduction

Course Duration

5 days

Course Objectives

Understand the gender dynamics within informal economies globally and locally.
Analyze barriers to women’s participation and economic empowerment.
Evaluate social protection policies affecting informal workers.
Explore gender-responsive entrepreneurship opportunities.
Apply tools for gender-sensitive labor market analysis.
Examine wage gaps and occupational segregation in informal sectors.
Identify strategies to formalize informal businesses equitably.
Enhance access to financial inclusion for women and marginalized groups.
Assess policy interventions promoting inclusive economic growth.
Integrate digital solutions for informal sector innovation.
Strengthen advocacy skills for gender equity in economic policies.
Promote sustainable livelihoods for informal sector workers.
Develop evidence-based case studies and action plans for gender-responsive programs.

Target Audience

Government policymakers and labor ministry officials
Development practitioners and NGO staff
Social protection and microfinance professionals
Gender specialists and researchers
Community leaders and informal sector associations
Entrepreneurship and SME support organizations
Academia and students in economics and social sciences
Private sector actors engaging informal markets

Course Modules

Module 1: Overview of the Informal Economy

Defining informal economy and labor market structures
Gendered participation trends
Economic significance and social impact
Global and regional case studies
Case study: Challenges and opportunities for women

Module 2: Gender and Labor Market Analysis

Tools for gender-sensitive labor assessments
Occupational segregation in informal sectors
Wage disparity analysis
Informal labor rights and protections
Case study: Women street vendors in Nairobi

Module 3: Social Protection and Informal Workers

Types of social protection for informal sectors
Gender gaps in social safety nets
Policy analysis frameworks
Best practices for inclusivity
Case study: Micro-insurance for female informal workers

Module 4: Women’s Entrepreneurship in Informal Economy

Barriers to women’s business entry
Access to capital and markets
Networking and mentorship strategies
Legal and regulatory considerations
Case study: Female-owned micro-enterprises in India

Module 5: Financial Inclusion and Digital Tools

Mobile banking and fintech solutions
Savings and credit groups for women
Digital literacy and capacity building
Gender-responsive financial policies
Case study: M-Pesa’s impact on women traders in Kenya

Module 6: Policy Formulation and Advocacy

Integrating gender in economic policies
Lobbying and advocacy strategies
Monitoring and evaluation frameworks
Stakeholder engagement
Case study: Gender-sensitive informal sector reforms in Latin America

Module 7: Sustainable Livelihoods and Social Innovation

Climate and environmental considerations in informal sectors
Promoting green jobs for women
Community-based innovation approaches
Social enterprise models
Case study: Women-led recycling cooperatives in Brazil

Module 8: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Impact Assessment

Designing gender-responsive indicators
Data collection and analysis
Measuring socio-economic impact
Reporting and scaling best practices
Case study: Informal sector development program evaluation in Uganda

Training Methodology

This course employs a participatory and hands-on approach to ensure practical learning, including:

Interactive lectures and presentations.
Group discussions and brainstorming sessions.
Hands-on exercises using real-world datasets.
Role-playing and scenario-based simulations.
Analysis of case studies to bridge theory and practice.
Peer-to-peer learning and networking.
Expert-led Q&A sessions.
Continuous feedback and personalized guidance.

Register as a group from 3 participants for a Discount

Send us an email: info@fineskilltrainingcenter.org or call +254769199797

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a globally- recognized certificate.

Tailor-Made Course

We also offer tailor-made courses based on your needs.

Key Notes

a. The participant must be conversant with English.

b. Upon completion of training the participant will be issued with an Authorized Training Certificate

c. Course duration is flexible and the contents can be modified to fit any number of days.

d. The course fee includes facilitation training materials, 2 coffee breaks, buffet lunch and A Certificate upon successful completion of Training.

e. One-year post-training support Consultation and Coaching provided after the course.

f. Payment should be done at least a week before commence of the training, to Fineskill Training Center account, as indicated in the invoice so as to enable us prepare better for you.

Skills & Software Covered

Economic inclusion Policy advocacy Gender analysis Skills development

Programme Fee

Duration: 5 Days

Method: Online or Physical

Online Price: $1,000

Physical Price: $1,500

Certification: Accredited Certificate

View Available Dates 📄 Download Course Outline (PDF)

Available Sessions

Location

Month

Year

Oct 19 2026

19 Oct — 23 Oct 2026

💻 Online / Virtual session

Online $1,000