Improving opportunities for women's self-employment

Description

Improving opportunities for women's self-employment involves removing barriers to women’s entrepreneurship by expanding access to credit, training, markets, and supportive networks. This strategy aims to empower women economically, address gender disparities in business ownership, and foster inclusive economic growth. Practical actions include providing microfinance, business skills development, legal support, and mentorship, thereby enabling women to start and sustain their own enterprises and overcome social, financial, and regulatory obstacles.

Context

Women are increasingly seeking self-employment for the advantages of "being their own boss" and having job flexibility. But often it is as a response to the lack of job opportunities in the public and private sector resulting from recession and restructuring.

Implementation

Actions that would improve women's viable self employment are; (a) enhancing and facilitating women's access to advice on how to become self-employed, and to credit; and (b) developing an infrastructure supporting the formation and activities of small and medium enterprises.