Studies show that labour force participation rates have been declining in all economies, especially among women, reflecting the impact of the pandemic. The socio-cultural barriers faced by women entrepreneurs are common in every part of the developing world, and are compounded by the burden of unpaid care work on women. Since the pandemic, it is even more essential that women entrepreneurs keep pace with the transformations of the digital age and benefit from the new digital economy.
Sharon Buteau, Executive Director, LEAD at Krea University, participated in a roundtable organised by Observer Research Foundation (ORF) and shared insights on Women and Entrepreneurship within the South and Southeast Asian context. The panel featured leading policymakers and researchers including:
- Rinawati Prihatiningshih, Businesswoman and Leader, Indonesia
- Saachi Bhalla, Senior Program Officer, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, India
- Md Golam Fazle Rabbani, Enterprise & Employment Development Specialist, SWAPNO Project, Bangladesh
- H.E. Ina Hagniningtyas Krisnamurthi, Ambassador of Republic of Indonesia to India (Keynote Speaker)
- Sunaina Kumar, Senior Fellow, Centre for New Economic Diplomacy, ORF (Moderator)
The discussion looked at diverse perspectives from developing countries and highlighted key outcomes and models that have worked in the local context.
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