Empowering Women Entrepreneurs

Posted by: Mark Marich on March 24, 2010 Source: Policy Dialogue on Entrepreneurship

Susanne E. Jalbert, Ph.D. has contributed an article to the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) focusing on women entrepreneurs and the role of women’s business associations. 

“Women comprise more than 50 percent of the world’s population. Yet in spite of their numbers, they own only 1 percent of the world’s wealth, and 75 percent of women cannot obtain a formal bank loan because they lack permanent employment or property rights to land or housing required for collateral, or because the laws of their countries make them ineligible for legal transactions,” explains the article.

In spite of the serious challenges for women entrepreneurs stemming from political and socio-economic instability and weak institutional infrastructure in many developing countries, Jalbert argues that women’s business associations are well-positioned as community change-makers and stakeholders. Particularly, by maximizing the entrepreneurial and leadership skills of their members, women’s business organizations can help improve gender equality and economic growth and development.

You can read this article online.

Category:  General  Tags:  women entrepreneurs