20-21 July 2022. Women entrepreneurs face significant and additional obstacles in expanding their businesses and taking them to the next level. The MENA region, having the world’s largest entrepreneurial disparity between men and women (ca. 5% of women-led business compared to a global average of 23%-26%) and one of the weakest female labour participation rates, is particularly affected. 

Several global and regional studies show that women in the MENA region face some of the highest levels of discrimination in accessing productive and financial resources. Behind this funding gender gap, gender bias seems to play a role in men funding other men, overlooking the female entrepreneurs who are also seeking business funding. As a matter of fact, the venture capital industry is 92% male

In this year’s edition, the Women Business Forum (WBF), co-organised by the UfM and UNIDO  will provide the opportunity to discuss gender-smart financing to empower women as entrepreneurs, traders, workers, and professionals, as well identify financial inequalities that remain gender-based. It will also discuss which models and good practices should be disseminated to ensure that women-led businesses can be an engine and growth and job opportunities for women and girls of the MENA region. 

To register for the event and see the agenda click here.