In Algeria, there are few studies on women’s entrepreneurship at the local level. The Association of Women in Green Economy (Association des femmes en économie verte) -AFEV undertook a study in order to bring women’s vision of their situation related to entrepreneurship/self-employment and analyse the work of local institutions in promoting women’s entrepreneurship. 

To do so, a survey has been conducted -through questionnaires and a focus group- which targeted women entrepreneurs and women who have not created any business so far (including students). The women entrepreneurs were asked about their difficulties to start and develop their businesses. The second group of women were interviewed on their willingness to create an enterprise, their expectations and the constraints which they identify.

The survey took place in two municipalities: Algiers and Bouzareah. It was realized by a researcher from the Center for Research in Applied Economics for Development - CREAD. Furthermore, AFEV regularly met with several institutions to let them know about the study and have their inputs and feedback: People’s and Communal Assembly - APC of Bouzareah, local associations, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Algiers, the National Employment Agency. The study’s results were presented in a conference on May 13 and disseminated in the media, such as the Journal of Employment.

Here are some of the main findings of the study. Social pressure and traditional stereotypes on women entrepreneurs, as well as cultural constraints, do not favour the development of women’s entrepreneurship. Access to finance and lack of family support are important challenges to start a business. In addition, discriminatory practices against women entrepreneurs have been observed. Finally, a lack of support and information on the existing policies and support mechanisms to entrepreneurs was noted.

In the upcoming weeks, the full study will be available in the Documentation Center. Also, AFEV will coordinate a project in order to enable local associations to promote women’s entrepreneurship among their members, and to train women in creating and expanding SMEs, through developing their skills in management, ICT, marketing…

AFEV has been selected following a call for proposals promoted by the Foundation in 2016 to coordinate a local cluster gender equality actors between women and men© in 2017. The present action and the future project are supported by the Foundation in the framework of the initiative “Strengthening the capacities of actors working for gender equality” funded by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development (MAEDI).

For more information about local clusters of gender equality actors set up by the Foundation, click here.