South-South: Empowering and Growing Women-led Business Session n°1

The collaboration between UN Women and COLEAD targets entrepreneurs in the African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries and beyond. The South-South online series are tailored for women entrepreneurs and business leaders, aiming to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing, enhance business skills and market access, and promote networking.

The agrifood sector plays a crucial role in global economies, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where it is a major driver of employment and poverty alleviation. Despite their significant contributions to agricultural production, food processing, and distribution, women in the agrifood sector often face challenges rooted in gender bias. These challenges can manifest as limited access to resources, unequal opportunities for leadership, and societal expectations that hinder their potential for success and limit their participation in entrepreneurship. Gender bias in lending practices often results in women being excluded from credit opportunities, preventing them from scaling their businesses or investing in new technologies. To address these barriers and ensure sustainable development in the agrifood sector, it is essential to implement strategies that help women entrepreneurs build confidence and overcome gender bias. Cultural and societal norms often restrict women to traditional roles, limiting their ability to fully engage in economic activities such as entrepreneurship.

Overcoming gender bias requires both individual and collective action. On an individual level, women can build confidence, challenge biases, and cultivate supportive networks to navigate the obstacles they face. At the same time, collective efforts—through societal change, organizational reforms, legal advancements, and the involvement of male allies—are essential for creating an equitable environment where gender bias is no longer tolerated. Only by combining individual empowerment with collective action can we create a world where everyone, regardless of gender, has the same opportunities to succeed and thrive.

By implementing strategies such as building technical expertise, enhancing financial literacy, fostering networks and mentorship, challenging societal norms, and developing leadership and negotiation skills, women can not only overcome gender bias but also build the confidence needed to succeed. Empowering women in the agrifood sector is not only beneficial for the women themselves but also crucial for the economic development and food security of communities around the world. With the right strategies in place, women entrepreneurs can break through barriers, drive innovation, and contribute to the sustainable growth of the agrifood sector.