Understanding the Barriers and Solutions to Include Women-Led Businesses in Ethiopia

Introduction:
Welcome to the workshop meeting for Dr. Gezahegn Kebede's keynote speech on "Understanding the Barriers and Solutions to Include Women-Led Businesses in Ethiopia." In his speech, Dr. Gezahegn emphasizes the key elements of procurement and business ownership, particularly focusing on women's ownership. He highlights the significance of engaging and associating with women-led and women-owned organizations, emphasizing that it is the decision-making power that truly matters rather than solely the ownership.

Key Elements: The Path to Inclusive Business

Ensuring equal opportunities for all genders in business should be our priority for key players such as procurement, providing a viable pathway for achieving this goal. By including women-led enterprises within our supply chain management and procurement processes, we can boost their access to opportunities, which will empower them economically while closing the existing gender gaps.
Dr.Gezahegn highlights that companies that opt for an inclusive approach when organizing their procurements not only support women leaders but indeed drive sustainable developments that ultimately result in strong economic growth.
Therefore, it's essential to evaluate the inclusion of women-led entities within any procurement approach.
2. Business Ownership, Particularly Related to Women's Ownership:
When it comes to empowering women entrepreneurs in this modern age, there are specific nuances that should not be overlooked, such as understanding whether an enterprise is headed or owned by a woman. Women-led organizations indicate that women occupy top-tier positions, driving forward with unparalleled vision while drawing from unique skill sets acquired over time.
On the other hand, when discussing ownership pertaining exclusively to women, we refer to woman-owned entities. Consequently, it is crucial to appreciate these differences when engaging such entrepreneurs and providing vital support for their professional aspirations. Dr. Gezahegn's keynote speech illustrates this concept beautifully.

The Thumb that Matters: Decision-Making Power
Dr. Gezahegn provocatively highlights that the real measure of influence within a business lies in decision-making power, not solely in ownership. Regardless of ownership, it is essential to empower women with decision-making roles and responsibilities. By providing women leaders with a voice at the decision-making table, organizations can benefit from diverse perspectives, innovative ideas, and inclusive strategies. Inclusive decision-making fosters a culture of equality, propelling businesses towards success and societal progress.
"It doesn’t really matter who owns the business; it’s not the voice; it’s the thumb that really matters—who is making the decision on that business."
So, this is to say, "The ownership of the business holds little significance; what truly matters is not the person behind it but rather the individual who holds the power to make crucial decisions for that business."

Barriers and Solutions: Paving the Way for Women-Led Businesses
Dr. Gezahegn delves into the barriers faced by women-led businesses in Ethiopia and proposes effective solutions to address them. Some common challenges include limited access to capital, insufficient business networks, a lack of mentorship opportunities, societal biases, and gender-based discrimination. To overcome these barriers and promote inclusivity, Dr. Gezahegn recommends implementing targeted policies that facilitate access to finance and resources for women-led businesses. He emphasizes the importance of fostering mentorship programs, expanding networking platforms, and raising awareness about the value of gender equality in business.

Conclusion:
Dr. Gezahegn Kebede's insightful keynote address highlighted the roadblocks hampering the development of women-led enterprises in Ethiopia. At the heart of preserving diversity, equality, and economic growth lies our active engagement with women led organizations. We strive for meaningful partnerships that demonstrate our dedication to maintaining sustainable progress in these areas.By aggressively cooperating with organizations led and controlled by women leaders, we can secure the long-term viability of equality, inclusion, and economic growth. We are committed to promoting and upholding diversity, equality, and economic prosperity by proactively collaborating with these women-led organizations. By heeding today's findings, let us advance our joint effort to smash all impediments hindering women entrepreneurs' progress, consequently unleashing their full potential. In collaboration with our efforts, we can establish a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem accessible to everyone.