A Nebraska echo in support of women & economic develoment
The evidence from the World Bank and other institutions is clear:
A key way to boost the economies of developing nations is to make sure women have access to economic opportunity.
*Provide women with access to capital!
In the nations of South Asia, only 28 percent of women are employed in a workplace, according to the World Bank.
In the nations of South Asia, only 28 percent of women are employed in a workplace, according to the World Bank.
In the Arab world, only 21 percent of women have access to economic opportunities.
Sub-Saharan Africa has a high percentage of female entrepreneurs — yet only 30 percent of women in those countries have access to bank accounts. Seventy-nine countries have laws that restrict the types of jobs that women can do. In 15 countries, husbands can object to their wives working and prevent them from accepting jobs.
Given such impediments, opening up economic opportunities for women can unquestionably benefit the developing world.
“Across sub-Saharan Africa,” the Associated Press reports, “where poverty remains extreme in many parts, stories of successful women entrepreneurs are accumulating. ... In Rwanda, Janet Nkubana has been recognized abroad for running a handicrafts company that employs more than 3,000 women whose baskets can be purchased at Macy’s. The Nigerian Adenike Ogunlesi is famous for her ‘Ruff ‘n’ Tumble’ clothing line for children, a business that she first operated out of a car trunk.”
Even in developing countries with promising trends of female entrepreneurship, there often are obstacles to overcome.
Sub-Saharan Africa has a high percentage of female entrepreneurs — yet only 30 percent of women in those countries have access to bank accounts. Seventy-nine countries have laws that restrict the types of jobs that women can do. In 15 countries, husbands can object to their wives working and prevent them from accepting jobs.
Given such impediments, opening up economic opportunities for women can unquestionably benefit the developing world.
“Across sub-Saharan Africa,” the Associated Press reports, “where poverty remains extreme in many parts, stories of successful women entrepreneurs are accumulating. ... In Rwanda, Janet Nkubana has been recognized abroad for running a handicrafts company that employs more than 3,000 women whose baskets can be purchased at Macy’s. The Nigerian Adenike Ogunlesi is famous for her ‘Ruff ‘n’ Tumble’ clothing line for children, a business that she first operated out of a car trunk.”
Even in developing countries with promising trends of female entrepreneurship, there often are obstacles to overcome.
For example, in Arab countries, more than 25 percent of business startups are founded or headed by women — a respectable number by international standards — yet the Arab world has the worst global scores when it comes to laws and procedures ensuring female access to courts, property ownership and financial institutions.
A South African journalist studying the issue listed various encumbrances faced by female entrepreneurship in Africa: difficulties in obtaining funding; a lack of mentors and a support network; difficulty in breaking into male-dominated business cultures; and societal norms that give little respect to female business participation and ambition.
Female entrepreneurs in Africa often “struggle to break that ‘old boys network’ and convince funders that ‘women’s ideas’ are worth the investment,” said Janine Jellars, founder of a South African content and social media marketing startup.
In our country, it’s encouraging to see broad support for international efforts to promote women’s economic empowerment across the globe. The effort is in line with a State Department initiative begun in 2010 under President Barack Obama and with efforts by the World Bank, African Development Bank and various nonprofits to provide supports such as microloans and financial literary training.
In Kampala, the capital of Uganda, a single mother named Madinah Nalukenge started a successful catering business from scratch, the Associated Press reports. “There is a lot of money to be made here,” she said. “There’s no resting. But at the end of the day, we get our reward.”
Her story shows the progress that’s possible when economic opportunity is extended to women in the developing world.
A South African journalist studying the issue listed various encumbrances faced by female entrepreneurship in Africa: difficulties in obtaining funding; a lack of mentors and a support network; difficulty in breaking into male-dominated business cultures; and societal norms that give little respect to female business participation and ambition.
Female entrepreneurs in Africa often “struggle to break that ‘old boys network’ and convince funders that ‘women’s ideas’ are worth the investment,” said Janine Jellars, founder of a South African content and social media marketing startup.
In our country, it’s encouraging to see broad support for international efforts to promote women’s economic empowerment across the globe. The effort is in line with a State Department initiative begun in 2010 under President Barack Obama and with efforts by the World Bank, African Development Bank and various nonprofits to provide supports such as microloans and financial literary training.
In Kampala, the capital of Uganda, a single mother named Madinah Nalukenge started a successful catering business from scratch, the Associated Press reports. “There is a lot of money to be made here,” she said. “There’s no resting. But at the end of the day, we get our reward.”
Her story shows the progress that’s possible when economic opportunity is extended to women in the developing world.
This is a cause well deserving of Americans’ bipartisan support.
*Supporting point of view from U.S. Trust report by Bank of America at this site here.
Labels: Kampala Uganda, Omaha The World Herald, World Bank
posted by Juliana L'Heureux | 7:23 AM
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