More women entrepreneurs mean less global poverty


PTI, Oct 17, 2022, 11:42 AM IST

Representative Image (Source: Pixabay)

Entrepreneurship is an engine of economic growth but it can only move into top gear when there are more women.

“If you want to change the world, help the women,” said Nelson Mandela. Entrepreneurs are an engine of economic growth that can drive post-pandemic recovery. But while women are as creative and innovative as men, far fewer are entrepreneurs.

The average share of female business owners fluctuates at around 25 percent, and the average share of female sole proprietors is below 35 percent. Globally, 16 million more women than men live in poverty due to unequal access to and control over economic resources. Levelling the playing field as the world becomes more digital could push poverty rates down.

Women microentrepreneurs were disproportionately affected when almost all countries imposed some form of a lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The pandemic, however, forced businesses to embrace technology to move online. Digital tools have replaced physical interactions and transactions and information and communications technology (ICT) has been identified as an essential tool to facilitate the empowerment of women in emerging economies.

ICT enables women microentrepreneurs to start and grow businesses and when already in business, to reach out further to customers, become more efficient and build their enterprises in ways they could not do before. As a result, women’s social status and quality of life can be improved. But not everyone is benefiting equally.

Globally, by 2020, only 57 percent of women were using the internet compared to an estimated 62 percent of men. While that digital gender divide has been narrowing across all regions, women remain digitally marginalized in many of the world’s poorest countries, where online access could potentially have its most powerful effect.

Factors associated with this digital divide include age, disability, gender, illiteracy, income level and the urban-rural division of economic activities. Despite the efforts of policymakers and NGOs to increase e-commerce adoption during the pandemic, women microentrepreneurs who face social and structural hindrances could not participate.

To help push up e-commerce adoption, policymakers could look to research on the role of general belief systems in technology adoption.

Different general beliefs create different mindsets towards new technology and these different mindsets influence women microentrepreneurs’ perceptions of and responses to ICT use differently. A recent study showed that women microentrepreneurs with a greater growth mindset are more likely to perceive that technology is easy to use and useful and, therefore, have a higher propensity to adopt e-commerce for their business.

Cultivating a growth mindset may be a promising channel to foster greater e-commerce use, with important implications for entrepreneurship.

Addressing the gender gap in entrepreneurship is essential to boost innovation, improve competitiveness, increase productivity and create jobs all which help achieve zero global poverty.

(360info)

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

‘Mrs’ a beautiful blend of my two passions acting and dancing: Sanya Malhotra

India reach 359-5 at tea against Australia on day 3 of opening Test

Kerala bypolls results: People reject anti-incumbency wave campaign by political opponents, says CPI

‘Viksit Bharat Young Leaders’ Dialogue’ to be held in Delhi on January 11-12: PM Modi

‘Viksit Bharat Young Leaders’ Dialogue’ to be held in Delhi on January 11-12: PM Modi

Chitradurga Renukaswamy Murder Case: Photos from crime scene implicate Actor Darshan and others

7 more arrested in Manipur for arson at legislators’ residences

Related Articles More

Mangaluru: Campco opposes WHO’s claim of arecanut being carcinogenic

10 month baby gets new heart, new life

World COPD Day: Know your lung function

As Delhi chokes with dangerous pollution levels, doctors warn of health risks for all

World Diabetes Day 2024: Kasturba Hospital Manipal Hosts Zumba Session at Malpe Beach to Raise Diabetes Awareness

MUST WATCH

Prakash Belawadi

Naxal Leader Vikram Gowda

Christmas Cake Fruit Mixing

DK Shivakumar

Rose Cultivation


Latest Additions

‘Mrs’ a beautiful blend of my two passions acting and dancing: Sanya Malhotra

India reach 359-5 at tea against Australia on day 3 of opening Test

Constitutional duty of Jharkhand govt to identify, deport infiltrators: Himanta

Kerala bypolls results: People reject anti-incumbency wave campaign by political opponents, says CPI

Ex-CJI Chandrachud removed fear of law from political defectors, claims Raut

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.