The global procurement market is worth trillions of dollars and engages public and private organizations through the exchange of goods and services. Globally, public procurement is estimated to generate between US$11 trillion and $13 trillion annually. Despite this, women-owned businesses (WOBs)receive only 1 per cent of both public and private procurement spending.
Structural gender inequalities prevent women—across diverse backgrounds, races, classes, sexual orientations, abilities and educational levels—from gaining equitable access to networks, finance and markets, including procurement markets. This hinders their ability to start, expand or maximize their business profits.
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women-owned businesses trained in Thailand and Viet Nam to strengthen their business models and procurement readiness.
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buyers were engaged and trained in GRP practices, with several organizations piloting the Gender-Responsive Procurement Assessment Tool.
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procurement contracts successfully signed between women-owned businesses and public/private sector buyers following structured business matchmaking
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WEPs Signatories
Access to procurement opportunities is critical for gender-responsive enterprises (GREs) and women-owned businesses, as it empowers women to increase profits, contribute to the economy and enable their businesses to thrive.
Between 2025-2029, WE RISE Together continues to drive transformative progress in gender-responsive procurement, delivering impact across three key outcome areas.
Resources
WE RISE Together Photobook
WE RISE Together | Factsheets
Action Brief: Promoting Gender-Inclusive Global Supply Chains...
Summary Report: Rapid Assessment for Developing Gender-Responsive...
Government of Australia, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), through the Mekong-Australia Partnership
Australia is working with the Mekong subregion to tackle shared development challenges and ensure a peaceful, stable and prosperous region. The Mekong-Australia Partnership (MAP), launched in 2020, is central to Australia’s efforts to bolster the subregion’s resilience and support inclusive, sustainable growth.
Implementing Partners
In Thailand Office of SMEs Promotion (OSMEP)
In Viet Nam Vietnam Women Entrepreneurs Council (VWEC) Women’s Initiative for Startups and Entrepreneurship (WISE)
