Advocacy
As a registered international not-for-profit foundation, the main purpose of the WBII is to support women to start and run their own businesses. Our tagline ‘Work-Meet-Succeed’ includes the idea that by getting together and supporting each other, we will be able to have a prosperous business. Because many of us are internationals, we realize that entrepreneurship is often one of the best ways we have to use our knowledge and skills, while earning a living and contributing to society in a foreign country. For many women in less prosperous countries, however, entrepreneurship is often the only way they have to put bread on the table.
Over the past few years, our initial purpose has been expanded to include advocacy for women entrepreneurship. Even though many women may want to have a business of their own, we recognized they are not always able to get started, and that there are still many areas that are holding them back from having their own business. These areas may include: Access to education and training; access to networks and finance; traditions, laws and policies; and work-life balance, among others. By coming together to recognize these issues, and by speaking out, including with other organizations, more women will have the ability and resources necessary to start and run a successful business, new ideas and products will be brought to the market, and our society will prosper.
Through our memberships in the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) and the Nederlandse Vrouwenraad (NVR), WBII is connected with advocacy organizations at the Dutch, European, and international levels. Thanks to these connections, we are able to keep in touch with others about what is happening on this topic, and how we can contribute. In this section, and in solidarity with women entrepreneurs around the world, we highlight our advocacy activities, which we consider to be a fundamental part of our programme.
Latest News
Is ‘Title IX’ for Inclusive Entrepreneurship coming to the Netherlands soon?
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What is Impactful Entrepreneurship and how can we embrace it?
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Women’s Empowerment in Ireland – moving forward
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It’s all about the process
This month, Charlene updates us on how the Women Entrepreneurship Platform is raising the profile and issues of women farmers through virtual teamwork and collaboration. The process has been started via a webinar which culminated in a proposal for a cross-commission...
WBII’s new inside connection to the Dutch Women’s Council
This month, Charlene introduces us to one of our newest members, Garcia Stans. Garcia is a financial business coach and also serves as the treasurer of the NVR (Dutch Women’s Council). She tells us why there is still a need for this organization that advocates for...
Do women entrepreneurs have a role to play in the Green Deal?
This month, Charlene highlights how the European Green Deal and the European Recovery Plan have great relevance for women entrepreneurs through showcasing a social enterprise business of one of our own members, Aleyda Santos. She argues that programmes to level the...