Dr. Ewa Ruminska - Zimny, Warsaw School of Economics Workshop on Enhancing Womens Entrepreneurship in SEE Sarajevo 1 October 2009 Developing womans entrepreneurship in the UNECE region

Womens economic potential Entrepreneurship is part of womens economic potential – a key factor behind economic growth in UNECE region Women are a major source of new labour in ageing Europe Increasingly well educated they bring new ideas and management styles in developing products and services Mobilizing this potential is even more important now to overcome economic crisis

Major source of new labour (EU-27)

Womens share in labour force (age 15 +) Source: UNECE Gender Statistics Databases,

Innovation and competitiveness Women have over 50% share in total tertiary education in most UNECE member countries and up to 62 % (Albania, Latvia) Inclusion of women in teams designing new cars pushed up sales at Ford (1999) –now a standard human resource policy More women in company management, better resistance to the financial crisis based on research in France CAC40 : PNB-Paribas (39% women -20% drop in shares versus Credit Agricole 1% women -50 % drop): value of gender diversity in management More women in company management, better resistance to the financial crisis based on research in France CAC40 : PNB-Paribas (39% women -20% drop in shares versus Credit Agricole 1% women -50 % drop): value of gender diversity in management

Female Share of Researchers Source: UNECE Gender Statistics Database

Source: UNECE Gender Statistics Databases Employers and own-account workers, % employed selected countries Diversity and growth of women entrepreneurs

Untapped potential: education vs. job level 2005 Source: Worldbank Edstats, ILO Laborsta

Gender specific barriers Financing: lack of wealth or property ownership (biased privatization, traditional norms), smaller size of womens businesses Information and training: less time due to family responsibilities and resources Markets and networks: limited access to traditional business networks (old boys)

Policy response Some interest at policy level, good initiatives driven by WBA, local authorities and international organizations Rationale based on job creation/poverty for womens empowerment (microcredit and start- ups -handicraft, hairdresser) Missing growth rationale and systemic solutions to boost womens entrepreneurship at national level

Policies matter US and Canada --Gender- sensitive legislation and institutional framework (role of WBAs) US – Equal Credit Opportunity Act (1974), Office for womens businesses at SME Federal Administration, Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act (1994), support centers etc. In number of women run businesses grew by 42%, now about 40 % all business in US

Role of international players Setting norms, standards and commitments such as EU (equal opportunities in Lisbon Strategy or in accession process) United Nations: Beijing, MDGs and Financing for Development Regional dimension: UNECE, Regional Coordination Council, IFIs

Conclusions Using womens potential is vital for growth (gender equalty as economic versus human rights concept) Support to women entrepreneurs as part of gender – sensitive economic policy addressing systemic barriers; opportunities of the crisis Role of government and new actors – market institutions (chambers of commerce but also banks and financial institutions, Patent Offices, Stock Exchanges) Muliti-stakeholder partnerships at national, regional and global levels

Thank you