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Employment and Enterprise Development

In Tamil Nadu, Domestic Violence Cases Rise, and Women’s Activists Cheer

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Thu, 03/07/2013
The New York Times India Ink Blog

Data from one of ICRW's reports - Fertility Decline and Changes in Women’s Lives and Gender Equality in Tamil Nadu, India - was cited to highlight the increase in women's workforce participation in Tamil Nadu.  

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Daily Beast features ICRW in Article about Gap Inc. Program

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ICRW evaluation results and expert Priya Nanda highlighted
Wed, 01/30/2013
By ICRW Communications Staff

ICRW evaluation results from a Gap Inc. program for female garment workers is featured in the Daily Beast. Priya Nanda, who leads the evaluation effort, is quoted.

Priya Nanda, group director of social and economic development at ICRW's Asia Regional Office, is featured in a Jan. 31 Daily Beast article about Gap Inc.’s P.A.C.E. (Personal Advancement & Career Enhancement) program. The International Center for Research on Women (ICRW), under Nanda’s leadership, evaluates the program.

ICRW in 2007 began a partnership with Gap Inc., on the P.A.C.E. program, which provides life skills education and technical training to the women who make Gap brand clothes. The goal of the program is to help women garment factory workers – who number about 80 percent worldwide – advance in their career and life.

ICRW collaborated with Gap Inc. to design and evaluate initial efforts in garment factories in India and Cambodia. Today, P.A.C.E. operates in those countries as well as in Vietnam, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia and Sri Lanka – and ICRW continues to evaluate the program's impact globally.

To date, 12,000 women have participated in P.A.C.E., and ICRW’s evaluation of the India and Cambodia programs found strong results: Women reported having better workplace relationships and communication skills. They felt more confident in themselves and their abilities. And they were saving money regularly at a greater rate than before they were involved in P.A.C.E.

Learn more about the ICRW and P.A.C.E:

100 Pairs of Hands – A blog by Priya Nanda about her work with P.A.C.E. (Feb., 2011)

Q&A with Bobbi Silten of Gap Inc. – An interview with the chief foundation officer of Gap Inc. (Feb., 2011)

Gap Inc.’s P.A.C.E. Program Honored with ICRW Innovation Award – Gap Inc. is honored by ICRW on International Women’s Day. (March, 2011)

Former President Clinton Recognizes Gap Inc.’s P.A.C.E. Program – Former President Bill Clinton commends P.A.C.E. as an exemplary approach to economically advancing women worldwide. (Sept., 2011)

Scaling Up Corporate Social Investments for Education – A look at a Brookings Institution report that holds up ICRW’s evaluation role in P.A.C.E. as an important ingredient for the program’s successful expansion. (June, 2012)

This is San – In this video, meet San, a P.A.C.E. program participant in Cambodia.

My Sister Sujutha – In this video, meet Sujatha, a P.A.C.E. program participant in India.

Investing In Women For Economic Growth

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Tue, 03/12/2013
Forbes

Forbes further explores Gap Inc.'s P.A.C.E. program and focuses on the impact that investing in women can have on economic growth. The article touches on women reinvesting in their families, saving and investing in the future, and building confidence as a result of participating in the P.A.C.E. program. ICRW's President Sarah Degnan Kambou is quoted extensively about the potential for programs like this to create change. 

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Global Women's Initiative Reaps Great Rewards

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Thu, 03/07/2013
Forbes

ICRW President Sarah Degnan Kambou discusses Gap Inc.'s P.A.C.E. program, which helps build life and work skills among female garment workers. Kambou speaks to the programs impacts and the effects of unlocking women's potential. To date, the program has reached 17,000 participants in 7 countries. 

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Gap Inc. P.A.C.E. - Advancing Women to Advance the World

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In 2007, Gap Inc. launched P.A.C.E. to provide female garment worked with the life skills, education and technical training they need to advance at work and in life. So far, 14,000 women have participated in the P.A.C.E. program. ICRW continues to evaluate the program's impact globally under the leadership of Priya Nanda, group director of social and economic development at ICRW's Asia Regional Office.

In this video, meet Sujatha, a participant in Gap Inc.'s P.A.C.E. program.

Finding Leaders on the Factory Floor: Gap Inc.’s P.A.C.E. Program

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Thu, 01/31/2013
The Daily Beast

ICRW evaluation results from a Gap Inc. program for female garment workers is featured in the Daily Beast. Priya Nanda, who leads the evaluation effort, is quoted.

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Gap Inc. P.A.C.E.: Advancing Women to Advance the World

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Women play a critical role in the apparel industry and a vital role in the future of societies. When we help a woman in a developing country better her life, she's able to make positive changes in the lives of her family and in her community.

In 2007, Gap Inc. launched the P.A.C.E. (Personal Advancement & Career Enhancement) program, aimed at training female garment workers in technical and social skills so they can advance in work and life. ICRW collaborated with Gap Inc. to design and evaluate initial efforts in garment factories in India and Cambodia. Today, P.A.C.E. operates in those countries as well as in Vietnam, Bangladesh, China and Sri Lanka – and ICRW continues to evaluate the program's impact globally under the leadership of Priya Nanda, group director of social and economic development at ICRW's Asia Regional Office.

In this video, meet San, a participant in Gap Inc.'s P.A.C.E. program.

Gap Inc.’s P.A.C.E. Program Recognized by Former President Clinton

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Recognition at Clinton Global Initiative as an Exemplary Approach to Women's Economic Empowerment
Wed, 09/21/2011

San Francisco, CA – September 21, 2011 – (GPS) –Today former President Bill Clinton recognized Gap Inc. for its commitment and model approach to addressing challenges in Economic Empowerment through the Personal Advancement & Career Enhancement (P.A.C.E.) program. The recognition took place during Wednesday’s closing plenary of the Clinton Global Initiative, held in New York City. Bob Fisher, son of Gap Inc. founders Doris and Don Fisher and a Gap Inc. Board Member, accepted the honor on behalf of the company.

P.A.C.E. is a comprehensive workplace education program that provides life skills and technical training for female garment workers, and is currently implemented in six countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. The program asks both workers and management in garment factories to view the welfare, potential, and success of female line workers as keys to business success.
“We are deeply honored by this recognition. Investing in improving women’s lives is a natural fit for Gap Inc. and our company values,” said Bob Fisher. “The program is innovative, scalable and sustainable. Thousands of women across six countries have already participated.”

Launched in 2007, Gap Inc.’s P.A.C.E. program creates opportunities for women to advance in their careers and personal lives. The garment industry is one of the world’s largest employers of low-skilled women workers. Despite their large numbers in the workforce, relatively few female garment workers advance to management positions, as many do not have access to the education and training that will propel their professional advancement. Research shows that P.A.C.E. graduates are more productive, have lower rates of absenteeism, and advance faster in the workplace than factory workers who do not participate in the program. Not only do the women participating benefit from the program, but the factories also benefit by developing a more skilled and reliable workforce.

P.A.C.E. was designed and developed in partnership with Swasti Health Resources and the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW). CARE International is a key implementing partner. Gap Inc.’s vendor partners also play a critical role. One of these vendors in India that employs more than 60,000 workers has committed to extending P.A.C.E. to all workers by the year 2020. To date, more than 7,500 female garment workers have participated in the program.

“Education of female garment workers is a distinct way our company can support positive, lasting benefits for workers and their communities. Our deep knowledge of the apparel world, our partnerships with manufacturing vendors and local NGOs have allowed us to help make meaningful impact on the lives of thousands of women,” said Gap Inc. Chairman and CEO, Glenn Murphy.

Media Contact: 
Angela Leung Wasmer, Gap Inc. 415.427.2577
Mission Statement: 

About Gap Inc.
Gap Inc. is a leading global specialty retailer offering clothing, accessories, and personal care products for men, women, children, and babies under the Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime, and Athleta
brands. Fiscal year 2010 net sales were $14.7 billion. Gap Inc. products are available for purchase in over 90 countries worldwide through about 3,100 company-operated stores, about 200 franchise stores, and e-commerce sites. For more information on Gap Inc.’s P.A.C.E. program and other community investments, please visit www.gapinc.com/socialresponsibility

About ICRW
ICRW's mission is to empower women, advance gender equality and fight poverty in the developing world. To accomplish this, ICRW works with partners to conduct empirical research, build capacity and advocate for evidence-based, practical ways to change policies and programs.

Former President Clinton Recognizes Gap Inc.'s P.A.C.E. Program

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Clinton praises workplace program’s approach to economically advance women
Wed, 09/21/2011
By Gillian Gaynair

Former President Clinton recognizes Gap Inc.’s P.A.C.E. program that helps female garment workers advance economically. ICRW is Gap Inc.’s global strategic and evaluation partner on the program.

Gap Inc's P.A.C.E.Gap Inc.'s Personal Advancement & Career Enhancement (P.A.C.E.) program – in which the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) is a partner – was recognized today by former President Bill Clinton at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York as an exemplary approach to economically advancing women worldwide.

"If you want democracies to prove they can produce widespread prosperity...we have got to prove that growth can benefit everybody," Clinton said after Gap Inc. Board Member Bob Fisher presented an update on the P.A.C.E. program. "And it cannot happen unless we do more to make sure women get their fair share of it and that girls can work their way into it. That's why I really wanted this progress report today."

Gap Inc. launched P.A.C.E. in 2007 to provide female garment workers in developing countries life skills education and technical training to help them progress beyond entry-level positions. ICRW collaborated with Gap Inc. to design and evaluate initial efforts in garment factories in India and Cambodia. Today, P.A.C.E. operates in those countries as well as in Vietnam, Bangladesh, China and Sri Lanka – and ICRW continues to evaluate the program's impact globally under the leadership of Priya Nanda, group director of social and economic development at ICRW's Asia Regional Office.

Eighty percent of garment workers worldwide are women. Despite their presence in the workforce, few women advance to management positions or have the chance to build skills they need to grow professionally. P.A.C.E. attempts to change their path. To date, more than 7,500 female garment workers have participated in the program. And ICRW's research shows that the program has helped strengthen women's confidence, improve their communication skills in the workplace and encouraged them to save money regularly.

Through P.A.C.E., others – the women's families, their bosses and co-workers – also have benefited. This is key, according to Bobbi Silten, senior vice president of Gap Inc. Global Responsibility and president of Gap Foundation. Earlier this year at ICRW's first Passports to Progress discussion event, Silten stressed that it's important to the company that its investment not only advance women, but benefit their children and communities, too.

"We really believe that's the way to create sustainable programs," she said. "When everybody gets something, they keep doing it."

PACE Cambodia

Related article: Invest in a Woman, Grow the Economy

Learn more about how ICRW measures women's economic progress

Gillian Gaynair is ICRW's senior writer and editor.

Evaluating a Factory-Based Education Program for Garment Workers

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Women play a crucial role in the apparel industry, comprising a majority of the world’s garment workers. ICRW and Gap, Inc. are collaborating to help female garment workers fulfill their potential through education. Gap, Inc.’s Personal Advancement and Career Enhancement (P.A.C.E.) is an innovative, factory-based education program that provides training for life skills, such as problem-solving and financial literacy, as well as workplace skills to help women advance beyond entry-level positions. ICRW partnered with Gap, Inc. on the initial development and implementation of the program, which was piloted in India, one of Gap, Inc.’s largest sourcing markets.

ICRW evaluates the program’s impact on participants in all countries where the program is being implemented. Initial results are promising. Women demonstrate more willingness to take on responsibilities and assume leadership roles; communicate better and more effectively at work and in their homes; show improved ability to solve workplace problems; and are better able to support their peers. In addition to gaining more respect from their family members, women also value themselves more.

Based on the success of the initial pilot programs, Gap, Inc. has expanded P.A.C.E. to additional factories in India and Cambodia. Development and implementation strategies for additional countries are currently underway.

Duration: 
2006 - 2012
Location(s): 
Cambodia
Location(s): 
India
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