Breaking down barriers to female entrepreneurship

Since the signature of the Lisbon Treaty, the EU has put entrepreneurship at the top of the political agenda, particularly with a view to getting economic growth back on track by creating new jobs.

Therefore, entrepreneurial freedom should be equally affordable to both genders.

Women count for only 31% of entrepreneurs

But for now, "statistics prove a very different reality", explains Barbara Matera MEP, Vice-Chairwoman of the Women's Rights and Gender Equality Committee of the European Parliament. "Today in Europe, women count for only 31% of entrepreneurs. This situation directly comes from multiple barriers restraining women from achieving their will of independency, entrepreneurship and to actively participate in the economic life of the European Union."

Matera is focusing on the need for affordable child care and care for the elderly in order to help female entrepreneurs exploit their full potential and reach a work-life balance

In order to improve this situation, Barbara Matera wrote a Report in which she details several propositions. In this text, to be voted on this Tuesday during the plenary session in Strasbourg, Matera focuses on the need for affordable child care and care for the elderly in order to help female entrepreneurs exploit their full potential and reach a work-life balance.

More funding opportunities for female entrepreneurs

The challenge of access to funding is also a matter that has to be solved with absolute priority. According to a study, women use less external funding like bank loans or supplier credit than men, and tend to use more costly internal financing. "This difference has a direct consequence: women have a smaller capital and so it inhibits their chances of success", said Rapporteur Matera.

I urge the Commission to do everything in its power to encourage girls and women to take up subjects that lead to careers in finance and high-growth sectors Barbara Matera

In this regard, she accords great importance to funding opportunities for female entrepreneurs, among other aspects related to women's access to financing. According to Matera: "The European Institutions also have a major role to play in minimising barriers against entrepreneurship. I urge the Commission to do everything in its power to encourage girls and women to take up subjects that lead to careers in finance and high-growth sectors.”

The Rapporteur also asks for the creation of a Women Entrepreneurs' Platform within the European Commission where women could share best practices and keep themselves informed of the opportunities put in place by the European Union.

It is my responsibility to find solutions to end these obstacles that prevent girls and women from fulfilling their wish of independency and entrepreneurship

Last but not least, Matera also drew attention to the particularities of female social entrepreneurs, a type of entrepreneurship that seems to be more gender equal but which could benefit from a better understanding in order to fully exploit the potential of female entrepreneurs in the social sector.

“Promoting entrepreneurship, as well as gender equality, has always been a top priority of the EPP Group. As a woman and member of this Group, it is my responsibility to find solutions to end these obstacles that prevent girls and women from fulfilling their wish of independency and entrepreneurship”, concluded Matera.