Dr. Ewa Ruminska - Zimny, Warsaw School of Economics

Workshop on Enhancing Women’s Entrepreneurship in SEE

Sarajevo 1 October 2009

Developing woman’s entrepreneurship in the UNECE region

Women’s economic potential

Entrepreneurship is part of women’s economic potential –a key factor behind economic growth in UNECE region

Women are a major source of new labour in ageing Europe

Increasingly well educated they bring new ideas and management styles in developing products and services

Mobilizing this potential is even more important now to overcome economic crisis

Major source of new labour (EU-27)

Women’s share in labour force (age 15 +)Women’s share in labour force (age 15 +)

Source: UNECE Gender Statistics Databases, 2005-2006Source: UNECE Gender Statistics Databases, 2005-2006

Innovation and competitivenessInnovation and competitiveness

Women have over 50% share in total tertiary education in most UNECE member countries and up to 62 % (Albania, Latvia)

Inclusion of women in teams designing new cars pushed up sales at Ford (1999) –now a standard human resource policy

More women in company management, better More women in company management, better resistance to the financial crisis based on research in resistance to the financial crisis based on research in France CAC40France CAC40 : : PNB-Paribas (39% women -20% drop PNB-Paribas (39% women -20% drop in shares versus Credit Agricole 1% women -50 % drop): in shares versus Credit Agricole 1% women -50 % drop): value of gender diversity in managementvalue of gender diversity in management

Female Share of Researchers Female Share of Researchers

Source: Source: UNECEUNECE Gender Statistics Database Gender Statistics Database

Source: UNECE Gender Statistics Databases

Employers and own-account workers, % employed selected countries

0

5

10

15

20

25

Austri

a

Croat

ia

Cypru

s

Denm

ark

Franc

e

Germ

any

Irelan

dIta

ly

Latvi

a

Poland

Portu

gal

Roman

ia

Slovak

ia

Sloven

ia

Spain

Sweden

United

King

dom

2000 2005

Diversity and growth of women entrepreneurs

Untapped potential: education vs. job level 2005

Source: Worldbank Edstats, ILO Laborsta

Gender specific barriersGender specific barriers

Financing: lack of wealth or property ownership (biased privatization, traditional norms), smaller size of women’s businesses

Information and training: less time due to family responsibilities and resources

Markets and networks: limited access to traditional business networks (“old boys”)

Policy responsePolicy response

Some interest at policy level, good initiatives driven by WBA, local authorities and international organizations

Rationale based on job creation/poverty for women’s empowerment (microcredit and start-ups -handicraft, hairdresser)

Missing “growth” rationale and systemic solutions to boost women’s entrepreneurship at national level

Policies matter Policies matter

US and Canada --Gender- sensitive legislation and institutional framework (role of WBAs)

US – Equal Credit Opportunity Act (1974), Office for women’s businesses at SME Federal Administration, Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act (1994), support centers etc.

In 1997-2004 number of women run businesses grew by 42%, now about 40 % all business in US

Role of international playersRole of international players

Setting norms, standards and commitments such as EU (equal opportunities in Lisbon Strategy or in accession process)

United Nations: Beijing, MDGs and Financing for Development

Regional dimension: UNECE, Regional Coordination Council, IFIs

ConclusionsConclusions

Using women’s potential is vital for growth (gender equalty as economic versus human rights concept)

Support to women entrepreneurs as part of gender –sensitive economic policy addressing systemic barriers; opportunities of the crisis

Role of government and new actors – market institutions (chambers of commerce but also banks and financial institutions, Patent Offices, Stock Exchanges)

Muliti-stakeholder partnerships at national, regional and global levels

Thank youThank youewa.erz@orange.fr