March 2026 Case Study: The Global Blueprint for Gender Responsive Procurement

This month, we spotlight a key global resource shaping the future of inclusive sourcing: the Gender-Responsive Procurement Model Policy Framework developed by UN Women. This framework is especially relevant for both international organizations and public procurement systems, where purchasing decisions influence markets at scale. From UN agencies to national and local governments, procurement represents a powerful policy tool that can shape economic participation, set standards for suppliers, and drive inclusive growth across borders.

The framework demonstrates how procurement can move beyond compliance and cost-efficiency to actively support United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5: Gender Equality. It provides practical guidance on integrating gender considerations throughout the procurement cycle from planning and market analysis to tender design, supplier outreach, evaluation, and contract management.

For public procurement authorities, this means:

• designing more inclusive tender processes

• expanding access for women-owned businesses

• embedding gender criteria into evaluation and contracting

For international procurement systems, it means:

• harmonizing gender-responsive practices across institutions

• influencing global supply chains

• setting standards that suppliers must meet worldwide

The framework also emphasizes the importance of data collection, monitoring, and accountability, ensuring that gender-responsive procurement is not just a policy commitment, but a measurable and sustained practice. We invite you to explore this framework and discover how procurement can become a strategic tool for advancing gender equality and delivering on SDG 5 at a scale: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2024-07/gender-responsive-procurement-model-policy-framework-en.pdf