Out-of-date, gender-biased lending practices often mean female entrepreneurs are more likely to get higher interest rates, smaller loan amounts and increased penalties for mistakes.
ddressing these disparities is crucial for fostering a more inclusive and sustainable business environment. Environment of business scalability is also expensive to run with bills, taxes, resources that at are competent with capacity, infrastructure and security requires evaluation when reviewing loans and funding for women led businesses.
Nigeria has a growing – working population that are youth centred, the unemployment and underemployment figures according to National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), increasing year on year, also shows that women are significantly impacted more than men. The gender implications for women in security, poverty, health, leadership and political representation, is on the rise. While a solution is to create an environment that nurtures everyone inclusively, the economic interventions are still limiting and its impact affects women’s economic power.
Female entrepreneurs in Nigeria contribute to 50% of the Nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). McKinsey Global Institute implies that this can go up to 19% in 2025 (up to 90 billion Dollars) if the systems are inclusive and equitable towards women in micro, medium small enterprises (MSMEs). But how can this happen when only 10% of commercial loans go towards women’s businesses and Nigerian women own 40% of businesses?
Media, one of the main tools of education and orientation, contribute to the subliminal exclusion of women in Global and National conversations as well as reinforcing the social stereotypes and norms by inactive gender sensitive reporting and mainstreaming.
A society that has raised girls to not think outside societal responsibilities, shy away from leading, silenced or shamed by structures of power will be impacted by material representation of them. Historically, this was not the norm as we have had (and still have) women who challenged and changed norms. Before we see ample representation[…]
Adejoke Bakare got her Michelin Starred recognition for culinary skills at her restaurant – Chishuru. The first person to get to this level with 6 Michelin Stars was Eugénie Brazier- a woman. Media coverage was more for Alain Ducasse (a man) than Eugnénie Brazier. Just as Rags Martel reported, Adejoke is the first black woman[…]
Leadership: HEIR Women Development and HEIR Women Hub believes that women and young women are powerful change agents. The far-reaching benefits of development through gender parity in leadership and decision-making must be increasingly recognized. Our mission is driven by the need to improve the positioning of women and young women as leaders and decision-makers at[…]
To improve the social and economic capability of women, youths, and other vulnerable groups for their self-reliance and sustainable national development. To support full and equal participation of women and young women in political, civil, economic, social, and cultural life, at the national, regional, and international levels in Nigeria. To empower and mobilize women and[…]
CHANGE! It is a constant phenomenon, inevitable and progressive in nature and can elude you or leave you behind. Experts have studied change and it’s impact on many areas and find that it is ideal and wise to keep oneself aware of the changing world. You may remember when the smart phone wasn’t this smart[…]