The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), in partnership with the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MCI) and other public and private partners in Côte d"Ivoire implements the project "Promotion de l'autonomisation économique des Femmes en Côte d'Ivoire (Promoting women's economic empowerment in Côte d'Ivoire; ProFemme)" between April 2024 and February 2027. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and is implemented in partnership with the Côte d'Ivoire Ministry of Trade and Industry (MCI).
For more than a decade, Côte d'Ivoire has been the country with the highest economic growth in West Africa. Yet, it is noteworthy that this economic growth is not very inclusive and that socioeconomic disparities persist in the labour market. Particularly women do not equitably benefit from this economic growth, as the employment rate of women in the country remains low and women experience discrimination in the labour market. If women do work, they are often employed on an informal basis and under precarious employment conditions. The current culture does not enable women to reconcile work and family.
Accordingly, the aim of the project "ProFemme" is to improve the economic participation of women in urban and peri-urban areas in Côte d'Ivoire. The project implements measures aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, employment and the creation of women-friendly workplaces for women. More specifically, the project is strengthening capacities of public institutions for advancing the economic empowerment of women. The aim is to enable them to align public policy strategies and support measures more effectively with women"s needs. Additionally, the project is improving the quality of services that promote entrepreneurship and employment-oriented training for women. It supports public and private organizations in creating awareness of women"s needs and taking these into account in their support programs. Lastly, the project is creating a better work environment for women. It raises awareness at local companies of the economic advantages of a more diverse workforce and supports them in introducing and implementing measures for managing gender diversity.
GIZ, namely the project "ProFemme", is looking for a service provider to support the creation of women-friendly workplaces in Côte d"Ivoire through the introduction of Gender Diversity Management measures in companies active in Côte d"Ivoire.
Gender diversity management (GDM) is based on the fact that companies benefit from the best talent, irrespective of gender, and that a diverse workforce leads to improved business outcomes for companies, such as better decision-making, higher levels of innovation and higher profits. GDM is therefore defined as a corporate function responsible for achieving gender diversity within a company and offers a structured approach towards equal employment opportunities for women and men in a company.
GDM in Côte d"Ivoire is still in its early stages. Hence, in order to support women in reconciling work and family responsibilities and equitably participating in the Ivorian labor market, the project "ProFemme" aims to select local companies interested in introducing GDM in their companies and supporting them in the selection and implementation of specific GDM measures. In order to anchor the approach in the long run in the local ecosystem, close cooperation with local partners and a pool of local and regional consultants experienced in GDM is envisaged to lay the foundation for creating a market for GDM services for Ivorian companies as well as to establish local structures for a dissemination of gender diversity management practices.
Additionally, the service provider will offer short-term expertise on public policies aiming at women economic empowerment, female entrepreneurship and employment approaches destined to empower women in the labour market.

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), in partnership with the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MCI) and other public and private partners in Côte d"Ivoire implements the project "Promotion de l'autonomisation économique des Femmes en Côte d'Ivoire (Promoting women's economic empowerment in Côte d'Ivoire; ProFemme)" aimed at improving the economic empowerment of women in urban and peri-urban areas in Côte d'Ivoire
GIZ, namely the project "ProFemme", is looking for a service provider to support the creation of women-friendly workplaces in Côte d"Ivoire through the introduction of Gender Diversity Management measures in Ivorian companies.
Gender diversity management (GDM) is based on the principle that companies benefit from the best talent, irrespective of gender, and that a diverse workforce leads to improved business outcomes for companies, such as better decision-making, higher levels of innovation and higher profits. GDM is therefore defined as a corporate function responsible for achieving gender diversity within a company and offers a structured approach towards equal employment opportunities for women and men in a company.
GDM in Côte d"Ivoire is still in its early stages. While international companies operating in Côte d"Ivoire, such as Orange and Nestlé, have already introduced measures of gender diversity management, national companies have expressed interest in gender diversity management but require further convincing and support in the planning, design and implementation of adequate measures.
To support women in reconciling work and family responsibilities and equitably participating in the Ivorian labor market, the project "ProFemme" aims to select local companies interested in introducing GDM in their companies and supporting them in the selection and implementation of specific GDM measures in their company. To ensure the long-term sustainability of this approach, the project will collaborate closely with local partners and build a pool of local and regional consultants experienced in GDM. This will lay the foundation for creating a market for GDM services in Ivorian companies and establish local structures for disseminating GDM practices.
At first, the contractor is expected to support the project in refining the implementation approach how to select and accompany local companies in GDM. The implementation strategy shall reflect engaging local, motivated partners and building local expertise to ensure the long-term sustainability of GDM services. The contractor will analyse local GDM standards, map local organizations and experts, and propose viable implementation options.
Following the implementation strategy, the contractor shall establish collaboration with selected local anchor institutions and orient local business consultants in the standard approach and process of introducing GDM measures in companies. This involves training and coaching local consultants to ensure they can effectively support enterprises in implementing GDM measures.
Subsequently, the contractor will identify companies for GDM consultation and support. Based on predefined selection criteria, companies are be identified, management commitment are to be secured, and necessary cooperation structures and agreements are to be established. An analysis of current gender dynamics and working conditions within the selected companies shall be conducted to identify challenges and opportunities for promoting gender diversity. Selected companies will be supported in developing a vision for gender balance and defining detailed action plans to achieve their gender diversity goals. Participatory processes will ensure that various stakeholders are involved in both planning and implementation. Local consultants, trained in GDM, will provide continuous support throughout this phase. As a result, each supported company shall have created a company-specific vision for gender balance, the creation of actionable and monitorable plans, and the implementation of at least one GDM measure per company.
Throughout the project, progress will be monitored, and lessons learned will be documented to ensure the successful implementation and sustainability of GDM initiatives.
Additionally, GIZ, namely the project "ProFemme", is also seeking short-term expertise on public policies aiming at women economic empowerment, female entrepreneurship and employment approaches destined to empower women in the labour market. The expected expertise to be provided involves strengthening capacities and offering organizational advice to gender units in public institutions, analysing training offers and curricula in entrepreneurship and employment promotion as well as aligning these to the specific needs of women and lastly advising training providers to adapt their offerings to women's specific needs and developing women empowerment training modules for entrepreneurship and employment.

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