International Women's Day

Despite thousands of years of civilization, our society still struggles to provide women with a rightful title. It's an unfortunate truth that the word "women" is derived from "men," suggesting a subordinate status. However, in 2024, we have the opportunity to shatter these stereotypes and create a better world for women.

The question arises: How do we achieve this monumental task?

The answer lies in fostering independence. In today's world, women comprise 36 percent of India's tech workforce, according to data from Nasscom. Yet, their representation diminishes significantly as we ascend the corporate hierarchy.

Empowering women to be independent is crucial. This means providing equal opportunities in education, employment, and leadership roles. It involves challenging societal norms and biases that hinder women's progress. Additionally, it necessitates creating supportive environments where women can thrive professionally and personally.

Introducing Women Entrepreneurs:

In the United States, the Total Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA) rate among women saw a notable increase from 13.6% in 2020 to 15.2% in 2021. This surge represents a 1.6% growth in the total early-stage entrepreneurial activity among women during 2020-21, surpassing the global average of 10.4%.

Meanwhile, in India, where entrepreneurship is burgeoning, there are approximately 63 million micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Among these, around 20% are owned by women, collectively employing between 22 to 27 million individuals. Despite this significant contribution, India ranked 57th among 65 countries in the Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs (MIWE, 2021), indicating room for further growth and support for women-led businesses.

These statistics underscore the increasing momentum of women's participation in entrepreneurship, both globally and domestically. As we recognize and empower women entrepreneurs, we pave the way for greater economic growth, innovation, and gender equality.

The insights you found highlight critical issues women face in entrepreneurship. Here's a refined version incorporating these points:

I recently asked Google why women are less likely to become entrepreneurs, and the answer was eye-opening: Lack of Support, Implicit Barriers.

Implicit barriers present significant hurdles for women venturing into entrepreneurship. While men may face challenges entering female-dominated fields like nursing or teaching due to societal stigmas, women encounter similar barriers in virtually any business endeavor. From navigating male-dominated funding boards to selling to businesses led by men, women often feel out of place and overlooked in leadership circles. Consequently, many women opt for industries traditionally perceived as female-friendly, such as healthcare, retail, food service, and beauty.

Moreover, the gender disparity perpetuates itself as fewer women enter male-dominated sectors like software and construction, maintaining their male-dominated nature over time. This perpetuation is fueled by deeply ingrained double standards in the workplace, where women are expected to balance assertiveness with niceness, facing criticism for behaviors praised in men.

To bridge these gaps, we must take proactive steps to create a more equitable and supportive environment for women in entrepreneurship:

Normalize Equal Parenting Roles: Encourage the equal distribution of parenting responsibilities between partners. By sharing childcare and household duties, both men and women can pursue their career aspirations without being held back by traditional gender roles.

Support Girls' Risk-Taking: Encourage and support girls to take risks, explore new opportunities, and pursue their passions. By fostering a culture of encouragement and empowerment, we can instill confidence in girls to overcome challenges and excel in entrepreneurship.

Mentorship and Support: Men in influential corporate positions can play a pivotal role by reaching out to more women to offer mentorship and support in starting businesses. Creating mentorship programs and networking opportunities can provide invaluable guidance and resources to aspiring female entrepreneurs.

Celebrate Female Role Models: Recognize and celebrate the achievements of successful female entrepreneurs and CEOs. By shining a spotlight on their accomplishments, we inspire future generations of women to pursue leadership roles and entrepreneurship. Additionally, showcasing diverse female role models provides young girls with aspirational figures to look up to and emulate.

By implementing these strategies and fostering a supportive ecosystem for women in entrepreneurship, we can break down barriers, empower women to succeed, and drive positive change towards gender equality in the entrepreneurial landscape.