1. About GEEST#
1.1. What is GEEST?#
GEEST is a QGIS plugin, designed to empower users with robust geospatial tools directly within the QGIS platform, making it accessible and integrable for users worldwide.
1.2. The Theory Behind#
GEEST was built for the practical implementation of the Geospatial Women’s Employment Analytical Framework (GeoWEAF), developed by the World Bank, which identifies the location-specific factors affecting women's access to jobs. This framework categorizes regions based on their level of support for enabling women’s access to employment. It identifies 15 critical, spatially varying factors that influence women’s job prospects, divided into three main dimensions: Contextual, Accessibility, and Place Characterization.
1.3. The Practical Implementation#
One of GEEST's main strengths is its ability to address two critical concerns. First, it can detect regions where conditions are optimal—or at least favorable—for women to gain employment in specific sectors. This helps in targeting investment opportunities aimed at promoting gender equality in the workforce.
Second, for existing job sites, GEEST highlights which infrastructure investment could be made to enhance women's participation in the workforce. By offering detailed visualizations and analysis for both dimensions and factors, GEEST enables users to identify specific gaps—such as the lack of digital infrastructure, childcare services, or hospitals in a region—that may act as barriers, negatively impacting the enablement scores. Once these barriers are identified, institutions can allocate targeted investments to strengthen these factors, ultimately creating environments that support increased female participation in the workforce.
1.3.1. GEEST serves to:#
Identify employment and business opportunities for women across multiple sectors.
Guide investment decisions that promote gender-inclusive infrastructure and reduce barriers.
Support policy-making through geospatial assessments that encourage gender equity across regions.
1.4. Why It Matters#
Women continue to face significant challenges in accessing employment and business opportunities in many sectors, limiting both economic growth and gender equality. GEEST seeks to close this gap by equipping stakeholders with the data needed to empower women in various industries, fostering sustainable development and social progress.
1.5. How to Get Involved#
Whether you are a policymaker, researcher, business leader, or advocate for gender equality, GEEST provides the tools and insights you need to make a difference. Join us in exploring the tool, contributing to our mission, and driving meaningful change for women around the world.