Why do women entrepreneurs want to be politicians?
The situation of women in the business world has forced them to seek other methods to meet their goals and politics is an option
The great disagreement of women towards the current structural gender discrimination in the business world has led several to become more involved in the world of politics. Many have not decided to just talk, but actively participate in administrative decisions through elections to public office.
Leer en español: ¿Por qué las mujeres emprendedoras quieren tomarse la política?
According to a survey conducted by Inc, together with Fast Company, 22% of women entrepreneurs in the United States are considering launching IGNORE INTO these administrative positions, as well as in Congress, the House of Representatives, as Governor, among others.
According to a Hiscox report, despite the fact that in the last 15 years there has been an exponential growth in companies founded by women, they continue to be discriminated against in the workplace in various ways.
Priorities: No more sexual harassment and gender discrimination
One of the biggest problems has been harassment and sexual assault inside the offices. In fact, according to the Inc report, 53% of women have experienced this in their capacity as founder of a company. The report also points out that the worst aggressors are investors and bankers with 58%, followed by sellers and suppliers with 50% and, finally, employees and subordinates with 27%.
In addition to this, the discrimination when it comes to getting bank loans to start their ventures is extremely complicated. 62% of women seeking financing have experienced prejudices in the process. Only 2% of all risk capital is assigned to women, and 3% to CEOs.
Even a study by the Harvard Business Review clarified that the digitalization of banks has complicated even more the approval of loans to women, for which they have had to opt for other methods, some more extreme.
Also read: The banking digitalization affects female entrepreneurs
For example, according to the same Inc survey, 63% have founded their startups with their own savings. 28% have taken risk capital, while 35% have looked for informal investors. On the other hand, the Hiscox report also says that women have also found more support in media such as crowdfunding.
Politics as the best option for change
Thus, the gap against women entrepreneurs has led them to seek options for change, and this they have done through politics. As several entrepreneurs surveyed clarify, "if women are not represented in our government, our needs will never be heard." Many company founders are politically energized in search of their rights.
This has increased even more since the 2016 elections, in which Donald Trump became president of the United States. In addition to the 22% of women who now consider going public, 51% have been more politically active since the same date.
84% of women said they would not vote for him again in 2020. Women, for the most part, have been more inclined towards the Democratic Party, with 70% saying they voted for Hillary ClIGNORE INTOn.
Several of those surveyed by Inc and Fast Company made it clear they did not find Trump unfavorable, but those who do see him as detrimental are taking action.
However, this politicization of women entrepreneurs can be a great risk, since it has been difficult for them to balance their roles as entrepreneurs with a new feeling of political activism and, in some cases, with their families. In addition to the time these campaigns would consume, a high tilt could alienate customers from their businesses. If women are going to take a political position in these cases, they should assume consequences for your business, thus clarifies the report of Inc.
LatinAmerican Post | Valentina Moya
Translated from “¿Por qué las mujeres emprendedoras quieren tomarse la política?”
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