Gender & leadership in market systems development programs

The Canopy Lab's study into gendered differences in recruitment and retention of senior leaders in international MSD and PSD programmes suggests salient differences in the experience of women and men Team Leaders (TLs) and Chiefs of Party (CoPs) in the recruitment process. 

It also points to differences between women and men in representation in field locations and in their reasons for leaving. 

This study forms part of the small but growing body of research conducted by The Canopy Lab on the role of diverse leadership on high-performing teams for systems-oriented development programmes.

It is intended to serve as a jumping off point for discussions with industry stakeholders on the biases, structures, relationships and rules which influence who is selected for which senior leadership jobs and under which circumstances.