From Pamela Coke-Hamilton Executive Director Caribbean Export

March 7th, 2014  —  Across the globe and through the ages, women have experienced the disadvantages of existing in a patriarchal framework, which has designated them to a homemaker role, and continues to define the sex as a whole. Women in business are breaking that mould across the world and writing new stories for themselves, and in the Caribbean, the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) is assisting them through a variety of programme-based interventions.

In commemoration of International Women’s Day 2014, Caribbean Export wishes to highlight and applaud the tremendous progress of Caribbean women in the business arena. We believe that, in keeping with this year’s theme of “Inspiring Change”, that these women are not only inspiring, but also effecting change in meaningful and lasting ways.

In the professional world, women often face many obstacles to advancement in the work place and in entrepreneurship, often referred to as the infamous glass ceiling. Many of these constraints are actually social constructs. Socially, the expectation is still for women to place having children as their top priority, whereas the expectation for men is to be successful in their careers.

In a recent study by the World Bank, “female entrepreneurs are more likely to operate in the informal sector or in traditional female sectors. This limitation is likely due to “…a lack of business connections and networks, few entrepreneurial female role models. Accessing finance is also a challenge, with women often lacking the required collateral to obtain successful financing above the microfinance level from banks”.

These World Bank findings represent a global phenomenon, but the Caribbean has arguably always been a region where females rarely face disproportionate opportunities, oppression or discrimination, as is often the case in other parts of the developing world. In fact, across the region, women have taken full advantage of the educational avenues available and many have succeeded in rising to positions of influence. However, the proverbial glass ceiling and other social limitations still remain a reality for many who wish to venture into the business sector.

Despite these challenges, the number of women involved in the business sector has dramatically increased globally.  It is thought that due to the current global economic climate, which has left scores of women, as well as men unemployed, there has arisen a greater impetus for women to enter into entrepreneurial roles. According to studies conducted by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, particularly in lesser-developed countries “when it comes to entrepreneurship, males tend to cite ‘opportunity’ as their main motivator, while women more often start or maintain businesses out of ‘necessity’”.  The study cited that there are 187 million registered women-owned and operated businesses worldwide.

Consequently, Caribbean Export has witnessed a rise in the number of female participants across several of its activities delivered under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF). Women have not only become progressively more involved, but now account for a significant fraction of overall participation. These women are involved in a wide range of sectors from agro-processing to specialized tourism. Collectively and individually, these women encapsulate the qualities of creativity, intelligence, tenacity, dynamism and the courage that it takes to enter and survive in the business world, a world that is ordinarily dominated by men.

“Caribbean women, have something very unique to contribute to the regional and global markets,” Pamela Coke-Hamilton, the Executive Director of Caribbean Export remarked, “They  have been afforded quality educational opportunities which, coupled with the well-rounded perspective that comes from living in a regional village, has made them naturally inclined to think outside of conventional parameters.”

Mrs. Coke-Hamilton added that, “At Caribbean Export, we have seen remarkable advancement in the status of women within the private sector which makes me proud as a woman. Women are not just running businesses: they are pioneering ecologically-conscious, sustainable industries in a host of sectors that are constantly looking forward; constantly innovating. The Caribbean businesswoman is no longer trying to survive, she is trying to fashion a stronger future for the region.”

But with all that is being said, does this represent a paradigm shift in the professional focus of females in the region?

Caribbean Export has seen an increased involvement of women in burgeoning industries such as specialized tourism and renewable energy.  Another sector, renewable energy, has become a priority in many Caribbean territories, following initiatives taken by developed nations. As a result, the sector attracts a great deal of investment and support from foreign and regional entities alike, and has been pegged as a major growth industry by organizations such as the European Union (EU), Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), and the Organisation of American States (OAS).

In 2013, Caribbean Export awarded funding to fifty-four (54) women through the EU-funded Direct Assistance Grant Scheme (DAGS). These beneficiaries were from the agro-processing and manufacturing sectors, which accounted collectively for 51% of the female beneficiaries. This substantial fraction alludes to a much greater female involvement in traditionally male-dominated areas than might have previously been perceived. These women are not only driving this industry into a new age with innovative products and methodologies, but, they are also harvesting the resources to position themselves as viable global competitors, with support from Caribbean Export.

A new generation of Caribbean female entrepreneurs has emerged who are an essential component of the future of the regions private sector, a future that is symbolized by growth, innovation and competitiveness.