Supporting Women Entrepreneurs

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Do women face more difficulties in self-employment and business-ownership than men do? Research indicates that globally, there are more barriers to entry for women in terms of starting a business. In Indonesia, specifically, women have more difficulty starting new businesses and women are also more likely to start very small businesses (micro) that are less secure. There are two significant barriers that women entrepreneurs face:

Systemic and unconscious biases embedded within the start-up and entrepreneurial eco-system
The above is paired with social and cultural norms that position women as the primary parent. Women have historically been faced with barriers to career advancement as a result of their gendered roles in family planning

Unconscious Bias

As explained by Dr. Sarah Saska, unconscious bias refers to the information, attitudes, and stereotypes that inform our subconscious and dictate the process by which we take these mental shortcuts. Unconscious bias is a nexus of attitudes, stereotypes, and cultural norms that we have about different types of people. Therefore, embedding diversity and inclusion strategies into your small business planning (such as hiring and promoting women entrepreneurs) will mean your business will have a better chance of succeeding long-term (Phillips, 2016). Companies that understand their unconscious bias are:

More innovative
Smarter
Better decision makers
Solve problems more effectively
Understand the needs of a diverse & global customer base

When it comes to hiring talent, how can you work to ensure that you’re hiring diverse talent?

Slow down your decision making
Recognize what you currently have
Consider what is missing
Strive to make it better

Approaches:

Limit job descriptions to “must-have” qualities
Revamp the language in job descriptions for greater inclusivity
Remove names and other identity signifiers from job applications
Standardize job interview questions

Women Entrepreneurs in Indonesia

women1 In November 2017 the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched a report funded by the Government of Canada entitled Women’s Entrepreneurship and Access to Finance: Challenges and Opportunities of Women-led Social Enterprises in Indonesia. The report found that too many women-led enterprises face daunting challenges, including restricted access to loans and discrimination.