Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 on Female Entrepreneurs in the MENA Region
In the MENA region, the pandemic has pushed approximately 700,000 women out of work in 2020. The industries that have been hit hardest: retail, entertainment, and hospitality sectors, all represent a majority female workforce. Besides that, female-led businesses in other sectors have also been negatively affected by pandemic restrictions. Although many women were able to retain work, the impact of the pandemic on them has also been significant in other aspects of their careers and lives. In order to investigate the exact impacts the pandemic has on women entrepreneurs in the region, Womenpreneur-Initiative and SANAD Entrepreneurship Academy have launched a survey titled “The Impact of COVID-19 on Female Entrepreneurs in the MENA Region”.
What Does The Survey Include?
The research assesses the effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on female entrepreneurs in these three countries: Algeria, Egypt, and Lebanon. The survey will serve two aims. Firstly, the data collected will be used to develop tailored programs to effectively respond to the professional needs of female entrepreneurs within the MENA region, particularly in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields. Secondly, the results of the survey will be analysed and included in a policy paper reporting on the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on female entrepreneurs. This report will include a comprehensive list of recommendations on how governments and other relevant actors can help support women in times of crisis.
Help Us by Filling Out Our Survey!
If you are a female entrepreneur from Algeria, Egypt or Lebanon, please fill out our survey by clicking right here.
Are you an organisation with valuable connections to women entrepreneurs in our three focus countries? We would greatly appreciate it if you could share this survey with your network.
Simply copy and paste this link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1syuNz6-PwStfcie5jSEfQ3VpOX7hrQ4EzAqZMUCIySI/prefill
About Womenpreneur Initiative’s Mission:
Our overarching aim is to advance women’s roles in the entrepreneurial scene, technology, innovation and society. We have launched a number of initiatives promoting equal gender participation in entrepreneurial and tech sectors, with a specific focus on counteracting the effects the COVID-19 pandemic has on the cause. Since 2016, we have continuously supported more than 13.000 women in 20 countries and have implemented more than 30 international projects. Ambitions to expand that base are constantly developing
Back in 2019, we launched our first Womenpreneur Tour. The project maps out local female talent in technology, innovation and entrepreneurial sectors within the MENA region to facilitate quality investment in women and girls. For instance, by promoting financial and social capital, access to resources, mentorship programmes and advocacy campaigns.
Support Our Initiatives in the MENA Region
Our latest project was the successful launch of our Womenpreneur Digital Hub. The hub is the first virtual space whereby MENA-based women can learn, connect and grow. We aim to ensure that every woman and girl in the MENA region can access the tools and develop the skills required to realise their fullest economic potential. The hub gives users free access to a diverse community of experts, mentors and peers to share tips and collaborate, as well as various opportunities. For example: job vacancies, scholarships, online courses, competitions, workshops, and so on.
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