The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is working to increase women’s participation in the economy. IFC is hosting a conference to encourage women’s participation in the private sector, with UN Women, the Global Compact Network in Egypt, the Egyptian Institute of Directors, and the National Council for Women, according to a press release. It is part of IFC’s corporate governance program in Egypt, supported by the Japanese government. “Only [7%] of Egypt’s firms are led by a female executive, and they earn, on average, about [22%] less than their male counterparts. Closing these gaps could help Egypt increase its [GDP] by [32%],” reads the release.