- Published by
- The Canopy Lab
This paper synthesises insights from the 2025 Global GESI in MSD Conversation Series convened by the Canopy Lab.
It reflects on how gender equality and social inclusion have evolved in market systems development and what is now required to sustain progress.
It argues that inclusion is central to market performance and resilience, not an optional add-on. Over time, practice has shifted from counting women’s participation to addressing norms, power relations and intersecting exclusions, but progress remains uneven.
Recent shocks, funding cuts and political pushback have increased pressure on practitioners, often expanding expectations without matching resources.
At the heart of the findings are three non-negotiables for durable GESI in MSD:
- Visible leadership that protects space for the work and backs teams when there is resistance
- Integration across core programme systems, from design and staffing to MEL and procurement
- Dedicated resourcing: time, expertise and flexible funds to tackle the hard and slow work of norm change
- Watch the webinar that took place on 29 January 2026 on insights from the 2025 Global GESI in MSD Conversation Series