OECD STUDIES ON SMES AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP ENTREPRENEURSHIP POLICIES THROUGH A GENDER LENS.

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Foreword Acknowledgements Reader’s guide What will I learn from this report? How can I read this report? How was this report developed? Executive summary There are persistent gender gaps in entrepreneurship Women are less likely to be entrepreneurs than men… …and tend to operate smaller and less dynamic businesses These gender gaps are caused by many inter-related factors… …and the COVID-19 pandemic risks undoing progress made in closing the gender gap Governments are using a wide range of instruments to encourage and support women’s entrepreneurship but work remains Overarching policy frameworks for women’s entrepreneurship need to be introduced Women’s entrepreneurship policy interventions must reflect context More evaluation evidence is needed as a foundation for scaling policy initiatives Part I State of women’s entrepreneurship 1 Key findings and recommendations The gender gap in entrepreneurship has reduced over the past 20 years COVID-19 risks reversing gains in women’s entrepreneurship Traditional gender roles exert negative influences on women’s entrepreneurship Women’s entrepreneurship policies are well-established in many countries Women’s entrepreneurship policy frameworks are needed to underpin individual policy actions Women’s entrepreneurship interventions must be contextualised More effective implementation of policies is needed to achieve policy objectives Greater efforts are needed to address gender gaps in entrepreneurship skills Greater use of dedicated measures is needed to address gender gaps in access to financing References 2 The state of women’s entrepreneurship The gender gap has been closing among solo entrepreneurs… …but the gender gap was growing among self-employed with employees COVID-19 is exacerbating gender gaps in entrepreneurship Women often have different motivations and intentions in entrepreneurship than men Women entrepreneurs face a range of subtle barriers to start-up Unsupportive culture Lack of entrepreneurial skills Women entrepreneurs struggle to access finance Women tend to have smaller and less effective entrepreneurial networks Family and tax policies can discourage women’s labour market participation, including entrepreneurship Policy can play an important role in supporting women’s entrepreneurship References Part II International policy insight notes 3 Fostering a gender-sensitive entrepreneurship culture Creating a positive image of women entrepreneurs The role of public policy Lessons from the policy cases References Australia Background Policy issue: Building a pipeline of women entrepreneurs Conclusions and recommendations References Notes Germany Background Policy issue: How to change traditional gender role models Conclusions and recommendations References India Background Policy issue: Women entrepreneurs’ personal safety Conclusions and recommendations References Note Iran Background Policy issue: The institutional environment Conclusions and recommendations References Notes Turkey Background Policy issue: Culture, human capital and education Conclusions and recommendations References United Kingdom Background Policy issue: Addressing under-representation of women in innovation Conclusions and recommendations References Notes 4 Strengthening the design and delivery of women’s entrepreneurship support Balancing mainstream and dedicated support Defining objectives and targets Increasing programme outreach and accessibility Lessons from the policy cases References Canada Background Policy issue: Operationalising the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy Definitional criteria Federal contracting as a mechanism to support women-owned businesses Include demonstrated engagement of women-owned business in funding assessments Conclusions and recommendations References Notes Czech Republic Background Policy issue: Developing a women’s entrepreneurship policy Conclusions and recommendations References Notes New Zealand Background Policy issue: Is there a need for a gendered entrepreneurship policy? Conclusions and recommendations References Notes Northern Ireland, United Kingdom Background Policy issue: The absence of a dedicated women’s entrepreneurship policy Conclusions and recommendations References Note Sweden Background Policy issue: Privatisation of public welfare delivery has not helped women entrepreneurs Conclusions and recommendations References 5 Building entrepreneurship skills for women The need for gender-based entrepreneurship education and training The role of public policy Lessons from the policy cases References Denmark Background Policy issues: Education, self-employment, dual roles and political priorities Education Self-employment Dual entrepreneur and caregiver roles Political priorities Conclusions and recommendations References Poland Background Policy issue: Skills development, mentoring and networking Conclusions and recommendations References Notes Tanzania Background Policy issue: Entrepreneurship training and developing entrepreneurial mindsets Conclusions and recommendations References 6 Facilitating women entrepreneurs’ access to financial capital There are barriers to finance on both the supply- and demand-side The role of public policy Lessons from the policy cases References Ethiopia Background Policy issue: Microfinance is restrictive; greater access to financial services is needed Conclusions and recommendations References Note Ireland Background Policy issue: Women entrepreneurs continue to struggle accessing start-up finance Conclusions and recommendations References Notes Italy Background Policy issue: Financing women-owned firms Conclusions and recommendations References Mexico Background Policy issue: Financial literacy and financial exclusion Conclusions and recommendations References Notes Norway Background Policy issue: Access to finance Measures to promote better access to financial capital for women 2015 Status for access to financial capital for women 2019 Conclusion and recommendations References Note South Africa Background Policy issue: Access to finance Conclusions and recommendations References Note Spain Background Policy issue: Access to finance Conclusions and recommendations References Note United States Background Policy issue: Access to financial capital Conclusions and recommendations References 7 Supporting networks for women entrepreneurs The importance of entrepreneurship networks and supportive ecosystems The role of public policy Lessons from the policy cases References Palestinian Authority Background Policy issue: Entrepreneurship networks and mentoring Conclusions and recommendations References Scotland, United Kingdom Background Policy issue: Creating a gender-focused business support eco-system Conclusions and recommendations References Notes 8 Building a supportive regulatory environment for women entrepreneurs Supporting women’s entrepreneurship through the regulatory environment The role of public policy Lessons from the policy cases References Kenya Background Policy issue: Access to social protection Conclusions and recommendations References Note Pakistan Background Policy issue: Weak regulatory institutions Conclusions and recommendations References Notes Sri Lanka Background Policy issue: Regulatory environment and access to entrepreneurship support Conclusions and recommendations References Note Annex A. 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