Women and Social Enterprise - A Global Scenario with Reference to North East India

Three days office off, festival of Holi and weekend is space to read about women led Social Enterprises (SE) at Hostel of Anant National University, Ahmedabad where I currently work. The reading was awe-inspiring. Former President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet once said women are natural social entrepreneurs. The State of Social Enterprise 2024 tells comprehensive global data that estimates the size and scope of SE worldwide. It also indicates the exciting number of women led social enterprise vis-à-vis male led ones.

??????? I am a strong believer of immense power of women. Women entering the social entrepreneurship space bring more gender equality, improved ecosystem for society, employment opportunities, the impact just not start and stop with the individual. When women create sustainable business models, the entire family and community where she lives receive benefit.

???????? The data which provides an overview of the state of SE says there are around 10 million SE globally. SE are founded by the principle of putting purpose before profit.?The data enumerates SE are generating around $ 2.0 trillion in revenue each year while creating positive impact.?SE are creating 200 million jobs across various sectors, from agriculture to financial services.?SE are seeking around $1.1 trillion in external financing (beyond personal savings). The interesting fact is this one in two SE around the world are led by women, compared to?1 in 5 conventional enterprises.?

We understand SE is a business that puts people and planet first. SE is designed to solve a social and /or environmental problem, it priorities purpose, people, and planet over profit in operational and strategic decisions, has a self-sustaining revenue model, reinvests the majority of any surplus towards its purpose and chooses legal structures and financing that protect and lock in purpose long term. It is a business with heart.

????????? The data implies that women are leading the charge with social impact. There are so many amazing women using business for good, helping solve social problems, and working to make the world a better place. Margaret Thatcher once said, “Any woman who understands the problems of running a home will be nearer to understanding the problems of running a country”. Women can perform wonders in all domains, can change society in their own ways and reinventing the world while addressing many pressing issues. Women need to take more leadership roles when it comes to socially good business. As natural problem solvers, women are capable and powerful to change the status quo. So, in my opinion, more women should take responsibility in the leadership of our planet. It would mean less violence. Beyond the numbers, beyond UN statistics, there are thousands of leading female social innovators who are reinventing how to address pressing issues and effecting change on a regional and global scale. Regrettably, our male dominated myopic vision cannot see amazing stories silently built by women, whom we take as so ordinary, for groundless reasons and faux stigma.???

?????? But one reason that’s often left out is that women, even at the grassroots, have perspectives and ingenuity to effect change benefiting other women and society more broadly in a very efficient way. Its women, for instance, who often understand the barriers to accessing the resources for change. Women better understand the challenges their children face when it comes to accessing education, finding employment and getting health care. These are wisdom that women bring to social innovation that make their participation so significant. There are many women-led socially conscious enterprises all over the globe, working in diverse areas with diverse people.

????????? Take the case of Shiza Shahid, a?co-founder?of the?Malala Fund, an organization that works for girls’ education all around the world. Shiza manages business operations for the Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Malala Yousafzai. The Malala Fund was discovered by Stanford University and their cause became global. It’s a movement that aimed towards girls’ education the world over. According to Shiza, it is a huge challenge yet an excellent opportunity. The Malala Fund works by advocating girls’ rights, investing in local education activities and groups, and bringing girls’ success stories to the forefront. They aim towards providing each girl at least 12 years of safer education. To them, this is the best investment that will help in the peace and prosperity around the globe. They are working in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Jordan, Lebanon and spreading wings beyond. For many years I read the Newsletters of Breakthrough (https://inbreakthrough.org). Breakthrough, founded by Mallika Dutt, started its journey to change the narrative on violence against women and girls and human rights abuse across India and US to create a world where everyone lived a life with dignity, equality and justice. “Mann ke Manjeere” a music video spoke about a woman who walks out of a domestic violence situation and becomes a truck driver, it became a dream where everything was possible. Breakthrough uses media arts, and technology to change norms is a shining example of SE.

??????? Yet another example. Vera Cordeiro,?Social Entrepreneur, founded her organization Saúde Crian?a with focus area of economic opportunity, education, and health in South America. The organization helps children who require hospital care and live below the poverty line and pushes families toward economic and social self-sufficiency. They offer vocational training, provides housing and runs programs for pregnant women and adolescents. Their approach to social change was studied at Georgetown University. Women social entrepreneurs play a vital role in changing the business landscape. According to The?Independent, an online newspaper (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/special-report-social-entrepreneurship-it-s-boom-time-for-businesses-with-heart-8707525.html), women are twice as likely to reach the top ranks in SE as they are in mainstream businesses.

????????? I am mentoring women led 11 micro enterprises in Assam, an engagement with IIM, Kolkata. These women carry burning desire to do impactful works. What doubles my admiration for them is their unbridled commitment. I find a flare common to them all that they want to give something to the society, I call it business with heart. They are capable to snowball a small business into a great enterprise. Women of North East Region possess traits to become entrepreneurs. But they need holistic support that probably we lack. Recently I was at Kohima, Nagaland, an entrepreneur there showed me a range of toiletry, she made it herself, at home, all are from natural ingredients, and she has been trying for finance. Her products, with improvements and innovation can compete with similar branded range. What will you say, isn’t her venture fits to SE, for she designed them to solve environmental problems? I am passionate, they will be our future storytellers, should we support them undelaying.??

?????????? Let celebration of Holi revolve around the thoughts of their colourful stories.???