In honour of International Women’s Day, we’re putting the spotlight on our most gender-sensitive hubs. Today: DRC.
In just five years, DRC has managed to increase female participation in their Orange Corners programme from 10% in 2020 to an impressive 50% in 2025. This wasn’t a matter of luck; it was the result of a deliberate, gender-sensitive strategy.
How did they do it? Here’s a look at their ‘secret sauce’:
- Women and men are screened separately to account for the different stages of their businesses. This provides female founders with a fair starting point.
- By offering online classes for those who need to manage childcare, they’ve ensured that family commitments are never a barrier to ambition.
- The Ingenious City team and trainers pool aim for a 50/50 gender split. This creates a safe, supportive environment where women see themselves reflected in leadership.
- Plans classes ahead and on Thursday between 9 am and 1 pm. When activities are planned outside these timeslots, an invitation is sent one month prior to the event. This way the female entrepreneur can anticipate for these dates and times.
Why it works: By being institutionalised yet flexible, DRC has proven that inclusivity is the ultimate driver of quality. That’s why the female participants rate the programme an 8/10.
Let’s celebrate hubs such as Orange Corners RDC that aren’t just talking about gender equality, but are actively building the infrastructure to make gender equity truly happen!
