The importance of entrepreneurship and small-scale producers
Unleashing the entrepreneurial potential of women is a triple opportunity: it's good for women, business, and economic growth. Globally, the number of women owning businesses is increasing. In the developing world, it is estimated that women own approximately 8-10 million formal small and medium-sized enterprises, accounting for 31-38% of all small and medium-sized enterprises in emerging markets.
Embedding women’s empowerment and gender inclusion interventions in small and medium-sized enterprises can impact the future growth of economies and have long-term benefits for women and their communities.
Beyond strengthening women’s aspirations and skills, successful entrepreneurship programming also:
- Tackles structural barriers by increasing access to market information and the digital economy
- Increases women’s leadership and participation in the development of government policies
- Co-develops gender-equitable financial products and services
- Works alongside men and boys to challenge patriarchal social norms
What is CARE International doing to make entrepreneurship more accessible?
CARE International helps women gain access to basic financial services such as bank accounts and to business skills training. Combined with efforts to strengthen women’s economic decision-making power and develop a more supportive environment in both the household and the community, more women can start businesses, leading to financial independence.
In Jordan, CARE International is helping to provide vocational training and small loans to vulnerable young Jordanian women and men so that they can start their own business.
