Despite Algeria’s reputation for being a leader in women’s education, women entrepreneurs face sociocultural and financial barriers hindering their success. This article explores the challenges women face in the business sector and the urgent need for gender equality policies to tap into untapped potential and drive economic growth.
Welcome to an important discussion on the underrepresentation of women in Algeria’s workplace and business sector. Although Algeria prides itself on having the highest proportion of female engineering graduates globally, only 7.6% of entrepreneurs in Algeria were women in 2018, according to SEVE. This alarming statistic highlights the challenges women face in the business world.
This article delves into the sociocultural and financial barriers that hinder women entrepreneurs’ success and the urgent need for change. Women need an equal opportunity to showcase their talents and participate in shaping the future of their country’s economy. Algeria can empower its female population by investing in education and policies that promote gender equality.
Join us as we explore the success stories of women entrepreneurs in Algeria and the lessons learned from their journeys. It’s time for Algeria to recognize the immense potential of its female population and tap into this untapped talent to drive economic growth.
Outlines:
Welcome, esteemed readers, to a discussion of a topic of utmost importance: women in Algeria. Despite being a country that prides itself on being a leader in women’s education, Algeria continues to struggle with the underrepresentation of women in the workplace and business sector.
While Algeria boasts the highest proportion of female engineering graduates in the world, women entrepreneurs face sociocultural and financial barriers that hinder their success. The alarming statistic that only 7.6 percent of entrepreneurs in Algeria in 2018 were women, as reported by the premier association of Algerian women entrepreneurs, SEVE, serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that women face in the business world.
Furthermore, the absence of women in Algerian delegations to regional and international business forums highlights the urgent need for change. Women must be given an equal opportunity to showcase their talents and participate in shaping the future of their country’s economy.
It is high time for Algeria to recognize the immense potential of its female population and empower them to overcome the obstacles that stand in their way. Through investment in education and policies that promote gender equality, Algeria can tap into a wealth of untapped talent and drive economic growth.
Let us not shy away from the harsh reality that women are underrepresented in Algeria’s business sector. Instead, let us come together and work towards creating a brighter future where women are given equal opportunities to succeed and thrive.
Obstacles facing Algerian women entrepreneurs:
Entrepreneurship is often seen as a path to success and prosperity, providing individuals with the opportunity to pursue their passions and achieve financial independence. However, for women entrepreneurs in Algeria, there are numerous obstacles that must be overcome in order to achieve success.
One of the biggest challenges that women entrepreneurs face is sociocultural constraints. In Algerian society, women are often viewed as being subordinate to men, and this perception can make it difficult for female entrepreneurs to be taken seriously. Additionally, evening encounters between men and women are often frowned upon, which can make it difficult for women to network and establish business connections.
Another significant challenge for women entrepreneurs is the lack of initial support or being taken seriously by their male counterparts. This can lead to a lack of funding or resources, which can be a major obstacle in starting and growing a business. Furthermore, some female entrepreneurs may not have the support of their families, which can make it difficult to balance the demands of work and family life.
Despite these challenges, there are many advantages to entrepreneurship. For women in particular, entrepreneurship can provide autonomy, independence, creativity, and work-life balance. Female entrepreneurs in Algeria have highlighted the importance of peer support and community for success, as having a network
of like-minded individuals can help to overcome the barriers that women face in the business world.
In conclusion, while there are numerous challenges that women entrepreneurs in Algeria face, there are also many opportunities for success. By providing support and resources, and by working to overcome sociocultural constraints, Algeria can tap into the potential of its female population and drive economic growth. Ultimately, the success of women entrepreneurs in Algeria will benefit not only themselves, but also their families and communities, and the country as a whole.
Financial challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in Algeria:
Entrepreneurship has the potential to create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and promote social and environmental sustainability. However, for women entrepreneurs in Algeria, accessing funding and resources can be a major challenge. Despite the existence of support agencies such as ANSEJ, CNAC, and ANGEM, many women continue to face significant obstacles in starting and growing their businesses.
One of the biggest challenges that women entrepreneurs face is restricted access to financing. Institutionalized sexist attitudes contribute to low access to funding, and even when funding is available, delays in processing funding requests, excessive bureaucracy, and high interest rates on loans can make it difficult for women to access the resources they need to succeed.
Banks also often show a dated view of entrepreneurship for women, favoring loans for ventures centered on processing food products, creating textiles, or offering services such as hairdressing. This narrow view can limit women’s ability to pursue diverse and innovative business ideas.
Furthermore, gaining access to land needed to grow organic materials for products can be a challenge, as can navigating the rental market. Women entrepreneurs often face hurdles in securing rental contracts due to the requirement of a title deed or rental contract for a period longer than two years, and landlords often require rental payment one year in advance. The rental market is also not regulated, and owners often raise rents without notice or negotiation.
In many cases, women entrepreneurs end up self-financing their projects, which can lead to financial ruin in case of failure. While the government has made efforts to guarantee funds for entrepreneurs, including women, these efforts have fallen short of meeting the requirements of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Despite these challenges, women entrepreneurs in Algeria remain resilient and resourceful. Many have found ways to overcome these obstacles through peer support, community involvement, and creative financing solutions. By working to address the systemic barriers that women face in accessing funding and resources, Algeria can tap into the full potential of its female population and drive economic growth and social progress for all.
Breaking Barriers: Algerian Women Entrepreneurs Making Waves in Business
Despite the challenges facing women entrepreneurs in Algeria, there are many success stories of women who have defied the odds and built thriving businesses in the country. Here are just a few examples of women-led businesses that are making waves in the Algerian market:
- TemTem: Founded in 2018 by two Algerian women, TemTem is a ride-hailing and logistics company that has grown rapidly in Algeria. The company has over 10,000 drivers and has expanded into food delivery and other services. In 2020, TemTem raised $4 million in funding to further expand its operations. TemTem’s success is a testament to the power of innovation and entrepreneurship, and to the potential for women to make an impact in traditionally male-dominated industries.
- Dermolab Pharma: A cosmetics company founded by Algerian entrepreneur, Zohra Slimane, in 2016. The company has experienced significant growth and success, with its products now available in over 10 countries. Dermolab Pharma was named “Best African Cosmetics Brand” at the 2020 Africa Beauty Awards. Slimane’s success shows that there is a demand for high-quality, locally-made products in Algeria and beyond, and that women can play a leading role in meeting that demand.
- CreaSouk: A marketplace for Algerian artisans founded by Soumeya Benghanem in 2016. CreaSouk has helped connect Algerian artisans with customers all over the world, and has played a role in promoting Algerian culture and heritage. In 2020, CreaSouk was named “Best Algerian E-commerce Startup” at the Africa Startup Awards. Benghanem’s success shows that there is a global market for Algerian-made products, and that women can be at the forefront of connecting local artisans with that market.
These success stories are just a few examples of the many women entrepreneurs who are making an impact in Algeria’s business sector. Despite the challenges they face, these women have shown that with hard work, innovation, and determination, anything is possible. As more and more women enter the world of entrepreneurship in Algeria, the country’s economy stands to benefit from their talent and creativity. By supporting and empowering women in business, Algeria can unlock the full potential of its female population and drive economic growth and social progress for all.
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Key Lessons Learned and Advice for Aspiring Businesswomen
- Believe in yourself and your abilities. You have what it takes to succeed.
- Surround yourself with supportive people who encourage and uplift you. Don’t be afraid to seek out mentors or join communities of like-minded women.
- Stay focused on your goals, and don’t let setbacks or obstacles discourage you. Persistence and determination are key to achieving success.
- Take calculated risks and don’t be afraid to try new things. Failure is not a defeat, but an opportunity to learn and grow.
- Keep learning and improving your skills. Knowledge is power, and staying up-to-date on industry trends and best practices can give you a competitive edge.
- Be adaptable and flexible. The business world is constantly changing, and being able to pivot and adjust your strategy as needed is essential.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help or seek out resources. There are many programs and initiatives that support women entrepreneurs, and taking advantage of these can help you succeed.
- Finally, remember that you are not alone. There are countless women out there who have overcome challenges and achieved great success, and you can too. Believe in yourself, stay focused on your goals, and never give up.
Conclusion
There is no question that Algeria’s women have made significant progress since the country gained independence in 1962. They have moved from the periphery of entrepreneurial life closer and closer to its center.
In the 2000s, Algeria began establishing support programs for women’s entrepreneurship and empowerment through several one-off initiatives, which deserves recognition and encouragement from the state.
However, much more needs to be done to institutionalize these initiatives, enhance their effectiveness, and streamline the country’s bureaucracy. A cultural awareness campaign is also necessary to combat outdated and misogynistic notions concerning women’s roles and limitations.
The women interviewed for this article demonstrate the commercial viability of female entrepreneurship in Algeria, and their triumph in a largely inhospitable environment proves that there is nothing that women cannot achieve if given an equal opportunity to compete.
Source:
https://carnegie-mec.org/2022/04/08/against-odds-women-entrepreneurs-in-algeria-pub-86830