Panel II: Economic Empowerment, Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development

Around the world women do business to take care of their families, even in difficult environments. For example, in Afghanistan under the Taliban, women were desperate for money because economic growth stalled. Women entrepreneurs were able to identify and fill the gaps in the market by starting businesses, such as dressmaking, that by law required women to work with other women.

Whenever and wherever wars start, women inherit the responsibility of providing for their families. Businesses are key to rebuilding Afghanistan and other post-conflict countries because after fighting ends or foreign troops leave, businesses will remain. Women’s entrepreneurship is not only about women’s empowerment – it is also relevant to societies' prosperity.

When we talk about women entrepreneurs, however, we need to think beyond microenterprise for women to be empowered on equal footing as men. There has not been enough funding and training for women to scale up their businesses beyond microenterprise. Besides training programs, women’s business associations are also useful tool for advocating the removal of legal barriers that keep women from growing their businesses. Communication is key for businesswomen to participate in both the political and economic spheres. Associations can amplify that communication.

Often women do not perceive themselves as entrepreneurs. This perception is a significant idea because it has the power to change society’s ideas and expectations. Furthermore, even if women in business are the exceptions, exceptional people are usually the ones to chance society. Overall, money means power for women. Business gives women a voice, mobility, control over finances and an individual identity.