The pandemic has brought the care economy into focus as a lever for systemic change and gender equality. As we launch the GenderSmart care economy initiative, Sana Kapadia explains why it’s time to address the full spectrum of care work, globally, in both formal and informal economies.

Investing in Women’s RISE fund - providing COVID relief and recovery to women-owned and led businesses in Southeast Asia - got off the ground in two months. We speak to James Soukamneuth and Prachi Maheshwari about how they did it and what else needs to be done to catalyse more capital towards gender lens investing in the region.

Of the emerging financing facilities that have been launched in recent weeks, only a handful have an explicit gender lens - but gender consideration is critical to effective response, recovery and rebuilding post-pandemic.