This document addresses the impacts of the COVID-19 health crisis on women, particularly considering they are not included equally in the financial sector. It highlights how women’s levels of financial inclusion in the region were, and continue to be, a vulnerability factor that is hindering their economic autonomy and the post-COVID-19 recovery.

The Policy Brief "Public procurement with a gender perspective. Achievements and challenges in Latin America to energize women-led enterprises as an engine for post-COVID-19 recovery" identifies the main barriers that women face when competing in public tenders and collects some examples of good practices to operationalize the inclusion of women in public procurement and contracting in LAC. It also offers recommendations for harnessing the power of government procurement as an opportunity to respond to the economic and social crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on women and to advocate for sustainable recovery.

Cash Transfer Programmes (CTP), widespread in Latin America and the Caribbean as a mechanism of social protection to alleviate social and economic difficulties of those living in poverty. CTP has been identified as one of the fastest mechanisms in the face of the COVID-19 crisis.