Entrepreneurship Policies through a Gender Lens
This publication examines how to strengthen the scope and effectiveness of entrepreneurship
policies for women. It examines both dedicated measures for women and ensuring that
mainstream policies for all entrepreneurs are appropriate for women. Evidence is offered
on the gender gap in entrepreneurship and its causes. At the heart of the report are
27 policy insight notes by leading international experts on the role of public policy
in facilitating entrepreneurship by women and how policies can be strengthened. They
highlight many long‑standing issues related to the scope and effectiveness of women’s
entrepreneurship policies – many of which have been exacerbated by the COVID‑19 pandemic
– and point the way to more effective policy. Issues addressed include fostering a
gender‑sensitive entrepreneurship culture, building entrepreneurship skills for women,
improving women’s access to financial capital, supporting networks for women entrepreneurs
and creating supportive regulatory environments. Issues in the design and delivery
of policy support are also addressed. The report was prepared by the OECD in collaboration
with members of the Global Women’s Entrepreneurship Policy Research Project (Global
WEP), a network of established researchers from over 30 counties.
Published on May 17, 2021
In series:OECD Studies on SMEs and Entrepreneurshipview more titles