Belgian Database of Female Entrepreneurs
In Belgium, although there is conducive business environment, only 2.91% of women have started their own businesses, much less than in other countries of higher income where the average is 7.91%. Only one in three entrepreneurs are women who work mainly in areas of human services and business sectors, while women represent nearly half of the workforce in other professions. Nearly half (44%) of young Belgian children believe that self-employment is not a socially accepted career choice for women.
The Belgian Institute for Equality of Women and Men has entrusted JUMP with the mission of making an inventory of female entrepreneurship in Belgium to better understand the expectations of female entrepreneurs. When female entrepreneurs were asked what kinds of initiatives should be developed to support women’s entrepreneurship, responses primarily concerned the balance of family and work life. 80% of women entrepreneurs are interested in maternity leave rights equal to the employed, more flexible systems of childcare, a system of entrepreneur substitution in case of illness, and also more visibility through a network of ambassadors, a web portal or large-scale events. As of now, many of the 45,000 women surveyed also stated that they rely on their personalities, training and professional networks.
