Women entrepreneurship: sustainable and inclusive economic growth in the Global South post-COVID-19 pandemic.

Irene, Bridget; Lockyer, Joan; Nziku, Dina; Onoshakpor, Chioma; Okrah, James; Felix-Faure, Charlotte

Abstract

Global economic activity is picking up as we start to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as we embark on the road to a global recovery, it is crucial to assess local economic recovery, to allow local authorities to develop adequate policies that will support economic growth. For example, for a country like South Africa, which has one of the highest unemployment rates in the world (statsSA) and the largest inequality gap (World Bank), the level of economic survival and recovery is crucial for everyone, including for Previously Disadvantaged Individuals (PIDs) - especially women. The pandemic has more severely affected women and women entrepreneurs, who generate 37% of the world's GDP. Moreover, they continue to encounter obstacles that prevent them from realising their full potential (World Bank, 2022). Women entrepreneurs play a critical role in the economic activities of their communities. For example, women from disadvantaged communities in Africa usually use their business profits to sustain their households and provide a better education for their children (Syden & Forget, 2012; Dolan & Scott, 2009). In turn, their children have access to better socio-economic conditions, which contributes to poverty alleviation and helps to close the inequality gap. Women entrepreneurs may be involved in various businesses and leadership positions, such as being the leaders of innovative technology businesses, owners of local businesses, or providers of health- and childcare services (Kamberidou, 2020). Women entrepreneurs are not only beneficial to their local communities; they are also a vital part of the future economic growth of countries in the Global South. This conference stream aims to provide a bird's-eye view of the need for targeted support for women entrepreneurs, who have been historically marginalised in the Global South. This is critical for economic recovery and for the sustainability of women entrepreneurship in the region.

Citation

IRENE, B., LOCKYER, J., FELIX-FAURE, C., NZIKU, D., ONOSHAKPOR, C. and OKRAH, J. 2022. Women entrepreneurship: sustainable and inclusive economic growth in the Global South post-COVID-19 pandemic. Conference stream call for papers for the 13th International interdisciplinary conference on gender, work and organization (GWO 2023), 28-30 June 2023, Stellenbosch, South Africa. Hosted on the Stellenbosch Business School website [online]. Available from: https://bit.ly/3gKYVNV

• Presentation Conference Type: Other
• Conference Name: 13th International interdisciplinary conference on gender, work and organization (GWO 2023)
• Start Date: Jun 28, 2023
• End Date: Jun 30, 2023
• Publication Date: Sep 30, 2022
• Deposit Date: Sep 24, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 19, 2022
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: Women entrepreneurs; Women and society; Women and the economy; Global South
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1763743
• Publisher URL: https://bit.ly/3gKYVNV
• Additional Information: This is an extended abstract accompanying a call for papers for a stream that forms part of the 13th International Interdisciplinary Conference on Gender, Work and Organization (GWO 2023), 28-30 June 2023, Stellenbosch, South Africa. The deadline for submissions closed on the 21st November 2022.