Women and Jobs in Africa Policy Research Workshop 2025 – Call for Papers and Participation

Application Deadline: June 30, 2025

.The World Bank, in collaboration with the African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) and the University of Ghana-Legon, has announced a call for papers and participation in the Women and Jobs in Africa Policy Research Workshop 2025. This dynamic two-day workshop will take place on November 11–12, 2025, at the University of Ghana-Legon, bringing together top researchers and policymakers from across Africa and beyond.

This high-level event is designed to facilitate evidence-based discussions on the evolving role of women in Africa’s labor markets. It will cover key themes such as labor force participation, skills development, entrepreneurship, and resilient livelihoods in rural areas. The workshop aims to stimulate innovative policy approaches and contribute to sustainable economic development by highlighting the challenges and opportunities facing African women in the workforce.

Workshop Overview

The Women and Jobs in Africa Policy Research Workshop 2025 provides a platform for sharing cutting-edge research and identifying actionable insights to bridge gender gaps in employment and economic opportunity. Participants will benefit from rich dialogues with academics, policymakers, and development practitioners, shaping impactful solutions that promote gender equity across African economies.

Topics of Interest

The organizers welcome research papers that address a broad range of topics relevant to women and work in Africa. These include, but are not limited to:

• Innovative strategies to increase women’s participation in the labor market
• Education and skills training to improve job outcomes
• Wage disparities and occupational segregation by gender
• The influence of social norms on employment
• The role of the care economy and care work
• Policy and legal frameworks supporting women’s employment
• The impact of digital technologies and AI on women’s employment
• Resilience and livelihoods in agriculture
• Market access for women-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

Who Should Apply

This opportunity is open to researchers with relevant work in the fields of gender, labor economics, public policy, education, entrepreneurship, and development studies. Early-career researchers, particularly those based in Africa, are strongly encouraged to apply.

Support and Funding

There is limited funding available to support selected participants. Preference will be given to early-career researchers to help offset travel and accommodation costs for attending the workshop.

Application Guidelines

Interested applicants are invited to submit extended abstracts of their research by June 30, 2025. Submissions should meet the following criteria:

• Length: Maximum of two pages
• Content: Clearly outline the objectives, research questions, data sources, methodology, preliminary findings, and policy relevance
• Format: Files should be submitted in .doc, .docx, or .pdf formats as a single attachment
• Email Submission: Include the names of all authors in the email body, with contact information for the corresponding author
• Limit: One submission per researcher. Applicants may only be listed as an author or co-author on one submission

All submissions must be sent via email to the organizers as outlined on the official workshop page.

Important Dates

• Call Opened: May 27, 2025
• Submission Deadline: June 30, 2025
• Workshop Dates: November 11–12, 2025
• Venue: University of Ghana-Legon

This workshop presents a rare opportunity for scholars, especially emerging researchers, to engage in policy-shaping dialogue and contribute to a gender-inclusive development agenda across Africa. By addressing the barriers and exploring the pathways to economic empowerment for African women, this initiative marks a significant step toward inclusive growth on the continent.

For more detailed information, including submission instructions and workshop updates, visit the official World Bank event page:

For more information and to apply, CLICK HERE