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Institute for Workplace Studies-----------------Professor Samuel B. Bacharach

School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies

Cornell University

16 East 34th Street, 4th floor--------------------Stuart Basefsky

New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau

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International Finance Corporation (IFC)

 

STRIVING FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS: VOICES OF LIBERIAN WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS [April 2014]

http://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/topics_ext_content/ifc_external_corporate_site/ifc+sustainability/publications/publication_striving_for_business_success_voices_of_liberian_women_entrepreneurs

or

http://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/ea80d20043d0bcdaa54bbd869243d457/WB+Liberian+Women+4-1-14+web.pdf?MOD=AJPERES

[full-text, 52 pages]

 

This report is an overview of the women’s market in Liberia and provides insights on the experiences of women entrepreneurs in post conflict and fragile affected states. Through the journey of seven Liberian women business-owners, the report highlights the many challenges women enterprises in post conflict countries face. The report also provides recommendations to governments, private sector entities, donors and practitioners looking to increase opportunities for women enterprises in these countries.

 

Table of Contents

Acronyms................................................................................................................................... IV

Foreword ................................................................................................................................... V

Acknowledgements......................................................................................................... VI

Executive Summary ....................................................................................................... VII

I. INTRODUCTION............................................................................................... 1

II. VOICES OF LIBERIAN WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS...................................... 3

Who are Liberian Women Entrepreneurs? ............................................................................................................3

A Better Investment Climate to Foster Women’s Entrepreneurship in Liberia......................................................4

Common Obstacles Faced by Women Entrepreneurs..........................................................................................6

Girls and Young Women Entrepreneurs ..............................................................................................................14

Supportive Factors for Women’s Entrepreneurship.............................................................................................15

III. CONCLUSIONS: WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT WOMEN

DOING BUSINESS IN FRAGILE AND CONFLICT-AFFECTED SITUATIONS........................................................... 17

IV. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF

WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN LIBERIA..................................................... 19

Business and Skills Programs ............................................................................................................................19

Access to Assets and Finance ...........................................................................................................................19

Networking and Business Information Sharing: Women Business Entrepreneurs’ Associations and Networks...................................................20

Institutional and Policy Reform for Women’s Economic Empowerment...........................................................21

Appendix I. Policy Recommendations to Support Women Entrepreneurs........................ 23

Appendix II. Case Studies of Liberian Women Entrepreneurs.........................................25

References................................................................................................................................ 35

 

 

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