Women's businesses in the missing link of market and capital

Isfahan- At the meeting of Manvin Taxes in Isfahan, economic experts and activists emphasized the obstacles to the growth of women's businesses, spoke about the necessity of connecting local capacities to the market, and reforming investment mechanisms.

Arjan Ambassador of the Provinces Group - Korosh Dibaj: Increasing the number of educated women, expanding specialized skills, and women's presence in knowledge-based fields alone does not mean an increase in their share of the economy. The main problem is revealed when women's scientific capacity and creativity do not turn into sustainable job opportunities, income, added value and the possibility of business development; The gap that is still important in the path of women entrepreneurs, especially in creative industries.

The development of women's businesses is not achieved only by training, paying facilities or supporting the start-up of new businesses. Access to the market, links between producers, having professional networks, the possibility of attracting capital, using technology and effective communication with policy-making institutions are among the links that can connect scattered activities to economic chains. This necessity is doubly important for women living in rural areas and small towns, who face more restrictions in accessing large markets.

In creative industries, due to the connection of economic activity with culture, art, intangible heritage and cultural diversity, not all businesses can be evaluated with the common models of technology companies or startups. Networking in this field, in addition to communication between economic actors, requires mechanisms to introduce local capacities, strengthen sales, support the creators of works, and access to domestic and international markets. These issues were discussed at the Manvin Talks meeting titled "The power of the network, the path of growth and scalability of women's businesses", under the auspices of the Presidential Vice President for Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy, on the sidelines of the Manvin Creative Industries national event in Isfahan, under the management of Ketayoun Sepehri, an expert and activist in the field of women's business.

60% share of women among university graduates compared to 14% economic participation

In this meeting, Narjes Abolqasmi, Vice President of Strategic Studies of the Vice President of Women and Family Affairs, pointed out the need to review women's employment policies and stated: One of the main issues in this field is the gap between women's human capacity and their economic participation. About 60% of the country's university graduates are women, but their share in the fields of skills, knowledge-based and patents, according to the statistics presented, is about 1%. At the same time, the economic participation rate of women is about 14% and there is a significant difference between the unemployment rate of women and men.

He stated that this situation reveals the necessity of revising women's employment policies, and added: Although women have expertise and skills, part of this capacity is not activated in the labor market and economic participation. To answer this question, we cannot consider a single prescription for the employment and entrepreneurship of all women.

The Deputy of Strategic Studies of the Vice President of Women and Family Affairs continued: Studies show that women are in different positions. Some of them do not have the possibility of employment due to lack of sufficient skills, lack of proper education or lack of motivation and opportunity to enter the labor market. Another group has expertise, but does not reach the market. Women with caregiving responsibilities may also distance themselves from the labor market due to the lack of flexible employment patterns.

Referring to the difference in the needs of housewives, women heads of households, rural women, employees, managers, home business owners and entrepreneurs, Abul Ghasemi clarified: the problem of each group is different. A woman who starts her own business and has a domestic market may no longer need basic training or basic skills; The issue of such a business can be the development of activity, the use of technology or entering international markets.

He added: In the National Women's Employment Program, by identifying about 11 groups of women, an effort has been made to formulate a policy package for each group that fits the main needs and obstacles. The policy maker should know what capabilities and needs every woman intends to enter the labor market and at which point he should act to remove the obstacle. Support tools should also be designed according to the bottlenecks of each group.

Pointing to the necessity of female entrepreneurs accessing international opportunities, Abul Qasemi said: One of the capacities of interest is the Women's Union within the framework of BRICS, whose office has been activated in Iran. This office has five committees, one of which is dedicated to creative industries and tourism. Such a capacity can help to introduce the abilities and experiences of activists in this field in the international arena, access to new markets, attract investors and take advantage of empowerment courses and specialized events.

Referring to the one-year activity of this office and holding meetings and making various trips, he added: With the change of the host country and the provision of new capacities, including in China, more opportunities can be created for economic activists. Economic diplomacy is also one of the capacities that the policymaker should activate for the access of the private sector and entrepreneurs to international markets.

The Vice President of Strategic Studies of the Presidential Office of Women and Family Affairs, referring to the formulation of the National Women's Employment Program, stated: This document is supposed to be the basis for the coordination of the executive bodies in the field of women's employment and entrepreneurship. Now, various institutions, from the ministries of labor, roads, agriculture and industry to tourism and welfare, have programs for their target groups, but there is no single approach to complete the chain of support for women's employment.

Abolghasemi continued: In compiling this program, it has been tried to get the opinion of experts, business activists, people with executive experience and related institutions. Its goal is that women's employment policy is not limited to a limited group of entrepreneurs or home business owners and that the specialized capacity of women is used in the path of employment, economic development and progress of the country.

civil institutions; The link connecting women's capacity to politics and the market

Arghvan Farzin Motamed, a researcher and expert in the field of international economics, emphasized the necessity of linking women's participation and local development and stated: For many years, various policies and programs have been implemented in the field of women's employment and social issues, but women's contribution to employment, added value and local development is still not commensurate with the existing capacities. Therefore, it should be checked which link in the path of converting these capacities to economic development does not work properly.

Stating that women's participation in development requires institutional mechanisms, he added: Every woman's empowerment must be connected to real development opportunities through tools and institutions. Policy-making can also be effective when it includes the participation of stakeholders; Including women who have the capacity of production, entrepreneurship or economic activity in villages and local communities, but the possibility of direct participation in policy making processes is not available to them.

This researcher in the field of international economics considered civil institutions to be the link between people and policy makers and said: credit funds, self-help groups, trade unions, associations and other civil institutions can organize, train, empower the capacities of the local community and link to the development programs of the government. In various experiences, including programs related to the empowerment of women in villages, significant capacities have been created, but these capacities have not always been connected to a complete economic chain.

Referring to examples of local production, Farzin Motamed explained: it is possible to identify the capacity of producing apples or handicrafts in a region, and the program will focus on increasing its production or export; But if the activities remain at this stage, a limited share of added value will be created. It should be asked if it is possible to link apple production with agricultural tourism, product processing, packaging and direct sales? Can the handicraft producer connect to sales networks and complementary services?

He used the concept of horizontal factories to explain this approach and added: instead of each economic activity proceeding independently, small local units can be connected like different parts of a production complex; In such a way that one part of production, another part of packaging and another part of distribution or marketing. In such a structure, scattered activities can help to create more added value, increase employment and economic growth of the region.

This international economy expert, who also has a history of working in the secretariat of the country's employment council, emphasized the limitation of top-down policymaking and said: if there is no participation of stakeholders in the design and implementation of programs, it will be difficult to achieve the expected results. The government and policymakers should help strengthen civil institutions and connect local capacities to enable the formation of mixed patterns of growth and development in different regions.

For the growth of women's businesses, the economic ecosystem must also be empowered

Sajjad Jahangard, an investor and private sector activist, pointed to the necessity of designing solutions suitable to Iran's economic conditions and stated: Some issues related to women's employment are common in different countries, but the solutions are not necessarily the same. In order to face these issues, attention should be paid to local solutions that are appropriate to the conditions of each society.

Referring to the presence of women among the country's educated workforce, he added: Part of women's unemployment can be related to the fact that the labor market is not sufficiently prepared to attract educated and knowledge-based workforce. Therefore, along with empowering women, the economic ecosystem, industry and politics should also be empowered.

Stating that the economy and industry should have a more forward-looking view of human resources, this investor said: an educated and young woman who wants to be effective in the future of the country is one of the main capacities for building the future. If firms continue to rely on past experiences and patterns, they may not be leveraging the capabilities of the forces that are essential for the knowledge-based economy and future development.

Jahangard continued: Educated and creative women should find the opportunity to participate in businesses. This opportunity is not only for the benefit of women, but it is a possibility for the whole society. In order to change the attitude of companies and other economic actors, there should be more discussion about the benefits of women's presence in the workplace so that the use of women's capacity becomes a part of the conventional approach of businesses.

In response to a question about the difficulty of developing businesses in creative industries and the limited willingness of venture capitalists to enter these fields, he stated: Part of the problem is related to the structure of the country's economy. In Iran's economy, energy rent helps some industries to be profitable, and the investor usually goes to activities that have higher returns. In such a situation, businesses in creative industries that do not have this advantage face more difficulty in attracting capital.

This private sector activist added: Another issue is the use of cheap manpower in parts of the economy. Creative businesses have to pay more to attract innovative and expert staff; An issue that can limit their profit margin and the possibility of rapid development.

Emphasizing the role of supporting institutions, Jahangard said: the Innovation and Prosperity Fund and the Vice President for Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy can play an important role in this field. Supporting businesses that normally attract a smaller share of capital can help strengthen sectors that are important to the future of the country's economy.

Creative industries do not grow with just a startup model

Sameh Ebtahaj, consultant and researcher of creative industries, emphasized the essential difference of this field from other economic sectors and stated: planning and policy making in creative industries should be done according to the characteristics of this sector. In this area, we are not necessarily dealing with a technology startup or a business that is driven by technology alone. Technology, demand and tourism can help develop creative activities together.

He added: In order to strengthen the network of creative businesses, social dialogue and tripartism between the government, the private sector, and labor and production activists should be taken seriously. In creative industries, the creator of the work is not just labor in the conventional sense; Rather, he is a creator whose economic activity is linked with culture, art and creativity.

Referring to the role of cultural diversity in the nature of these activities, this researcher of creative industries said: Unlike many commercial goods, in creative industries, communication with culture and art can create continuous demand for works and products. For this reason, the policy making of this area should also consider its cultural and creative features.

Referring to the range of creative industries from cultural heritage to creative research and development, Ebtahaj said: In this field, both the position of the creator of the work is important and the network that should support him. Therefore, policy making should pay attention to strengthening the relationship between the creative producer, the market and the supporting mechanisms.

Emphasizing the necessity of providing equal opportunities for women, he added: Women should be considered as half of the active population of the country and their abilities in economic activities should be recognized. At the same time, women's access to opportunities is not the same; For example, rural women may be less likely to participate in professional networks compared to urban women.

This creative industries consultant continued: One of the important priorities is to strengthen the connection of women's businesses with the market. Capacities such as handicrafts have existed in local communities since the past, and the main issue is not necessarily the creation of new activities; Rather, networking should be done in such a way that these capacities are connected to the market.

Referring to the family responsibilities of women and the tendency of some of them to freelance and remote jobs, Ibtahaj said: Freelance and platform activities can be important for women who have professional and family responsibilities at the same time. Strengthening online markets, paying attention to local and cultural diversity and using the capacity of women to narrate about local products and experiences can also help to develop the ecosystem of creative industries.

He also emphasized the necessity of expanding product supply opportunities and added: Exhibitions can provide a platform for producers to communicate with the market, but other methods should also be considered to increase audience access. Holding a virtual exhibition in the next courses of Manvin can expand the possibility of introducing products and communicating with customers in different regions.

From individual empowerment to building a network for sustainable growth

All the topics raised in the Manvin Tax meeting focused on the necessity of simultaneously paying attention to women's empowerment, market structure, policy making, investment and networking mechanisms in creative industries. From formulating policy packages suitable for different groups of women to strengthening civil institutions, linking local activities to value chains, improving the view of investors and developing online markets, each of the speakers emphasized a part of the path to transform existing capacities into sustainable economic activity.

In this framework, the scaling of women's businesses is not limited to increasing the number of producers or expanding an enterprise; Rather, it depends on the formation of effective communication between production, technology, capital, market and cultural capacities. Strengthening these relationships can provide a wider use of women's specialized and creative power and increase their contribution to economic development.