Accessing New Markets: Context Matters Julie R. Weeks President & CEO Womenable
Economic Playing Field NOT Level ▲ Women only own 1% of the world’s property ▲ There are 1 or more legal differences between women and men that limit women’s economic opportunity in ¾ of economies studied ▲ In all MENA countries, women have fewer inheritance rights than men ▲ In 2/3 of countries, legal rights of women decline with marriage ▲ 44 countries restrict # hrs women can work; 71 restrict types of industries
An Historical Analogy: Building Market Connections ▲ Industrial revolution not only fueled by technology, but by market access ▲ Building access to markets for women business owners needs multi- pronged approach Laws Capital Education/technical assistance Networks
Growing Number of Resources ▲ New UN Women superagency unwomen.org ▲ World Bank – Gender Data Portal data.worldbank.org/topic/gender ▲ Women, Business & The Law wbl.worldbank.org ▲ Doing Business – doingbusiness.org, iPhone/iPad app
Context Matters: Ease of Trading Varies by Region # Docs to Export # Days to Export # Docs to Import # Days to Import East Asia & Pacific Eastern Europe & Central Asia Latin America & Caribbean Middle East & North Africa OECD High Income South Asia Sub-Saharan Africa Source: World Bank, Doing Business 2011
Accessing New Markets: Context Matters Julie R. Weeks President & CEO Womenable