As the world celebrates International Women's Day, it's imperative to delve into the realm of government procurement practices and examine the role they play in promoting gender equity. Procurement within US cities holds significant sway over the allocation of resources, public spending, and the support of socio-economic initiatives. Yet, despite strides towards gender parity in many sectors, disparities persist within government procurement, hindering the advancement of women in the workforce. In this blog, we explore the concept of gender equity and highlight some initiatives and strategies implemented by 5 big cities in the United States to reduce the gender gap in the field of government procurement.
What Does Gender Equity Stand For And How Does It Apply To Government Procurement?
The European Institute for Gender Equality considers that “the concept recognises that women and men have different needs and power and that these differences should be identified and addressed in a manner that rectifies the imbalances between the sexes.”
On another hand, the United Way of the National Capital Area mentioned: “Gender equity means respecting all people without discrimination, regardless of their gender. It also means addressing gender inequalities that limit a person’s ability to access opportunities to achieve better health, education and economic opportunity based on their gender.”
Despite numerous initiatives and strategies to promote gender equity in various areas of public administration, the realm of government procurement continues to be an arena where gender disparity is evident. Women remain underrepresented in decision-making positions, including procurement officers, contract managers, and policymakers, limiting their influence in shaping procurement strategies and policies. Addressing this gender disparity is essential not only for promoting fairness and equality but also for enhancing the effectiveness and integrity of government procurement processes.
We understand that gender equity in government procurement refers to the fair and equitable treatment of all genders in the process of acquiring goods and services on behalf of governmental agencies. It encompasses policies, practices, and initiatives aimed at ensuring that women and men have equal opportunities to participate in procurement processes, including bidding for contracts, accessing resources, and advancing within procurement roles. This principle emphasizes eliminating discrimination, bias, and barriers based on gender, thereby fostering a level playing field where individuals are judged on their qualifications, capabilities, and merit rather than their gender identity. Gender equity in government procurement contributes to more inclusive, transparent, and effective procurement practices, promoting diversity, empowerment, and social progress within government procurement ecosystems.
Top 5 US Cities With Gender Equity Initiatives
San Francisco, California: Being one of the most inclusive cities in the United States, San Francisco has extended its inclusive personality to the realm of government procurement and the governmental procurement ecosystem. It has implemented the Local Business Enterprise (LBE) program, which provides certification and contracting opportunities for local, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses; launched the San Francisco Women’s Entrepreneurship Fund, for women women-owned small businesses operating in San Francisco to apply for mini-grants of up to $5,000; and has driven multiple networking events and workshops specifically tailored to women entrepreneurs to help them navigate the procurement process.
1️⃣ New York City, New York: The most populous city in the US has presented several policies aimed at reducing the gender gap in the realm of government procurement. For instance, the city set ambitious goals for contracting with Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs), aiming to award a significant portion of city contracts to MWBEs; offered technical assistance and capacity-building programs to MWBEs, including workshops, training sessions, and one-on-one counseling, and streamlined the certification process for MWBEs to make it easier for women-owned businesses to qualify for government contracts.
2️⃣ Los Angeles, California: Another big city on the West Coast of the United States has been working towards gender equity in government procurement. The city of Los Angeles has implemented the Business Inclusion Program (BIP), which includes provisions to increase contracting opportunities for women-owned businesses. They have also organized and executed an agenda of outreach events and workshops to educate women entrepreneurs about government contracting opportunities and provide assistance in navigating the procurement process. Additionally, they have closely collaborated with community organizations and advocacy groups to promote awareness of government contracting opportunities among women-owned businesses.
3️⃣ Chicago, Illinois: The "Windy City" has implemented the Diversity Credit Program, which incentivizes prime contractors to subcontract with minority and women-owned businesses, the Minority and Women-Owned Business Certification Program, that offers certification opportunities to MBE and WBE firms, and the Minority and Women-owned Business Procurement Program, which promotes contracting opportunities to M/WBEs.
4️⃣ Boston, Massachusetts: Last but not least, the “City of Champions.” Boston has established the Supplier Diversity Program, which includes specific initiatives to increase contracting opportunities for women-owned businesses. Furthermore, the Boston Housing Authority (BHA) has an overall agency goal of 20% Minority-Owned Businesses and 15% Women-Owned Businesses participation in its purchasing and contracting. Also, the city presented the Sheltered Market Program (SMP) which allows state and local governments to reserve certain contracts for Minority- and/or Women-owned Businesses.
Gender Equity Is A Must
Gender equity in government procurement is not just a moral imperative but also a strategic necessity. It aligns closely with broader global commitments, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5, which aims to empower women and girls worldwide. However, achieving true gender parity in procurement demands more than mere policy rhetoric; it needs concrete actions and systemic reforms.
By embracing gender-responsive procurement policies and practices, governments can unlock the untapped potential of women entrepreneurs, suppliers, and professionals, thereby fueling economic growth, fostering social progress, and advancing sustainable development.
This blog was written by Gisela Montes, GovTech Community Lead at Glass.