TEDx Talks - Barreras institucionales al emprendimiento femenino | Julio Pertuzé | TEDxPUCdeChile
The discussion highlights the gender disparity in entrepreneurship, noting that globally, only one in three businesses is owned by women, who typically earn less than their male counterparts. During the pandemic, small and medium enterprises, especially those in the service sector employing predominantly women, were severely affected. The closure of schools in Chile, which lasted over 250 days, exacerbated gender disparities in entrepreneurship. The analysis used administrative data to show that school closures decreased the probability of women starting new businesses by 38%. This effect was more pronounced for women with young children and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, with a 50% and 58% decrease in entrepreneurship probability, respectively. The findings underscore the importance of keeping schools open to support female entrepreneurship, as school closures pose significant barriers to women starting businesses.
Key Points:
- Globally, only 1 in 3 businesses is owned by women, who earn less than men.
- Pandemic hit small and medium enterprises hard, especially in service sectors employing women.
- School closures in Chile reduced women's entrepreneurship by 38%.
- Women with young children or from poorer backgrounds faced even greater barriers.
- Keeping schools open is crucial for supporting female entrepreneurship.
Details:
1. 📊 Gender Gap in Entrepreneurship
1.1. Ownership and Industry Concentration
1.2. Earnings Disparity
1.3. Business Survival Rates
2. 📉 Impact of Pandemic on Women's Employment
2.1. Impact on Women's Employment
2.2. Impact on Women's Entrepreneurship
3. 🔍 Institutional Barriers to Female Entrepreneurship
3.1. Formal Barriers to Female Entrepreneurship
3.2. Informal Barriers to Female Entrepreneurship
4. 📚 Research on School Closures and Entrepreneurship
- School closures in Chile significantly impacted female entrepreneurship, as measured through data from the Social Household Registry by the Ministry of Social Development and Family.
- The study found that the gender gap in entrepreneurship widened with school closures, as the probability of women starting new businesses decreased by 38%.
- Women with children aged 3-6 were particularly affected, with their likelihood of starting a business falling by 50%.
- Among the poorest 40% of women, school closures diminished the probability of entrepreneurship by 58%.
5. 🚪 Schools' Role in Supporting Female Entrepreneurs
- Schools are identified as a significant barrier to entrepreneurship for families, particularly affecting women, as closures limit their ability to engage in business activities.
- Keeping schools open is essential for facilitating entrepreneurial activities for both parents, especially mothers, as it allows them to manage family and work responsibilities effectively.
- School closures, even outside pandemic contexts, are frequently used policies that negatively impact female entrepreneurship, highlighting the need for educational policies that prioritize keeping schools open.
- Educational policies should prioritize keeping schools open as a means to support and enhance female entrepreneurship, suggesting that schools should be the last to close and the first to open during adverse events to minimize disruption to female entrepreneurship.
- Policy recommendations include creating contingency plans for schools to remain operational during crises, establishing support systems for working parents, and considering the economic impact of school closures on female entrepreneurship.