Engendering Fiscal Space: The Role of Macro-level Economic Policies

Engendering Fiscal Space: The Role of Macro-level Economic Policies is a UN Women background paper exploring how national economic policies can generate sustainable financing for gender equality. Grounded in feminist economics, it reframes gender-equality and care-sector spending as long-term, growth-enhancing investments rather than discretionary costs. Developed under the UN Women–ILO Joint Programme on Promoting Decent Employment for Women, the paper outlines macro-level policy tools and financing options that can expand fiscal space in developing countries to support care, reduce occupational segregation, and advance women’s economic empowerment.