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Ukrainian Women Lead Europe in Entrepreneurial Aspirations, Despite Wartime Challenges
A Mastercard study reveals that Ukrainian women demonstrate the strongest desire to start businesses compared to their European counterparts, with 66% planning to do so, driven by resilience amid the war; however, funding, experience, and confidence remain key obstacles, while digital technologies present significant growth opportunities.
- What are the main obstacles faced by women in starting and growing their businesses in Europe, according to the study?
- This high entrepreneurial spirit among Ukrainian women reflects their resilience and determination in the face of adversity. The study highlights a critical role for women entrepreneurs in economic recovery and building a more inclusive economy, aligning with Mastercard's commitment to positive change. Funding constraints are cited as the primary obstacle to starting a business for both Ukrainian men (65%) and women (76%).
- What are the key findings of the Mastercard study regarding the entrepreneurial aspirations of women in Ukraine and Europe?
- A Mastercard study reveals that Ukrainian women show the highest interest in starting their own businesses compared to other European women. Sixty-six percent of Ukrainian women, facing extremely difficult conditions in a war zone, plan to launch their own ventures, with Gen Z women demonstrating an even higher rate of 83%.
- How can digital technologies and supportive initiatives contribute to boosting female entrepreneurship in Europe and overcoming existing challenges?
- The study's findings suggest a significant potential for economic growth and development driven by female entrepreneurship in Ukraine and across Europe. The increasing use of digital technologies, particularly Gen AI, is expected to help overcome barriers to entry, improve productivity and provide opportunities for scaling up businesses and creating jobs. However, access to sponsors, networks, and government funding remains crucial for women to confidently leverage these opportunities.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing emphasizes the positive aspects of female entrepreneurship, particularly in Ukraine, potentially overshadowing complexities or potential drawbacks. The headline and introduction highlight the high percentage of Ukrainian women wanting to start businesses, which sets a positive tone but might not fully represent the situation on the ground. While the challenges are mentioned, the overall tone remains optimistic.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral but occasionally leans towards positive framing. For example, describing Ukrainian women as 'most eager' to start businesses uses positive language which could be more neutral. Phrases like 'critical role' in relation to women's entrepreneurship could be replaced with more neutral wording. Overall, the language is not overly loaded but could be made more objective.
Bias by Omission
The report focuses heavily on the entrepreneurial aspirations of women in Ukraine and some other European countries, but omits a comparative analysis of men's entrepreneurial intentions in those same regions. The lack of this comparison prevents a complete understanding of the gender disparity in entrepreneurial activity. Additionally, while the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs are discussed, there's little mention of support systems or initiatives specifically designed for male entrepreneurs, hindering a balanced perspective.
False Dichotomy
The report sometimes presents a false dichotomy by framing the discussion around women's entrepreneurial ambitions versus challenges. While highlighting obstacles is crucial, it might overshadow the successes and positive aspects of female entrepreneurship, creating an overly negative or limited view.
Gender Bias
The report focuses primarily on women's experiences and perspectives, which is understandable given the topic, but the lack of comparable data on men's experiences creates an imbalance. While acknowledging challenges like childcare responsibilities impacting women, it doesn't analyze similar challenges for men who might also have caregiving duties. The inclusion of Inna Bozhko's story, while inspiring, might inadvertently reinforce a narrative of women solely in caregiving roles.
Sustainable Development Goals
The Mastercard study highlights the significant entrepreneurial aspirations of women in Ukraine and across Europe, particularly within the Gen Z demographic. This demonstrates progress towards gender equality by showcasing women taking initiative to create economic opportunities for themselves and their communities, despite significant challenges. The article also emphasizes the need to address barriers faced by women entrepreneurs, such as funding gaps, lack of experience and confidence, which are crucial steps for achieving SDG 5. Initiatives like the Mastercard Inclusive Growth Hub directly support women entrepreneurs, furthering progress toward this goal.