“There needs to be more investment in women-led businesses in the Pacific.” That is the pivotal – and it must be said, almost expected – finding to emerge from an in-depth survey of women in business in the Blue Pacific, conducted this year by Auckland-based AK Research & Consulting on behalf of Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) NZ.
The voice of Pacific businesswomen was revealed loud and clear in the survey, which was promoted under the banner ‘She Speaks – We Listen’.
The Pacific context of business is unique, and influenced by customs, traditions, church and family. The survey was designed to understand the levers of change needed to give women in business a comparative advantage, and to better understand what is holding women back from succeeding in their endeavours.
The PTI NZ survey included women in all forms of businesses around the Pacific. The survey results will help inform stakeholders, development partners, and donors , as to how they can best support women in business programmes to effect change. The results will also provide valuable insights for PTI NZ and the services it can deliver to support the Pacific’s women-led businesses.
Among the survey’s objectives were to:
· contextualize the Pacific concept of owning or running a business where the business is owned or led by women;
· define challenges faced by women;
· highlight winners and champions;
· identify key areas of support needed where none are available;
· provide useful data for governments, development partners and policy institutions[SA4] .
Hopefully, the results of this important survey will contribute to more effective policy decision-making in this arena in the future.
In addition, a more complex picture emerged in other findings, with the survey report’s second note in its Executive Summary expanding to: “Additional important support mechanisms include access to new markets (12%), skilled staff (10%), training and knowledge (7%), mentors and role models (6%), and professional business services 95%).”
The survey findings wrapped up with the observation: ‘This demonstrates the need for both financial and non-financial support to help women-led businesses thrive.”
Clearly, the non-financial support systems must include ways to address another important reveal from the survey – under the heading ‘Challenges Specific to Women’, where it was noted, ‘Over half (54%) of the women surveyed report facing unique gender-related challenges.’
The more than 200 respondents from almost all Pacific Island Forum countries* and business sectors** also suggested some practical remedies.
As the survey report notes in this section of the analysis:
• The most common issues include gender bias or discrimination, gaining respect in male-dominated environments, accessing funds and resources, and maintaining work–life balance.
• A wide range of solutions are proposed such as addressing biases, improving networking opportunities, increasing funding access, providing more education and training, and building support systems.
• Advocacy from the government and more women-focused groups also feature as ways to overcome these barriers.
“This is a very powerful report with great practical implications,” says PTI NZ Trade Commissioner, Glynis Miller, “in that it confirms the need for our current focus on women-led business in the Blue Pacific, and also provides a clear pathway towards more effective policy-making and direction in this regard.”
This roadmap is outlined in a section in the report’s Executive Summary, headed ‘Potential Actions to Take Highlighted in the Research.’
These include:
Targeted financial support: Given that financial challenges are a primary concern, policies and programs could focus on providing better access for women to capital through grants, loans, and tailored financial services.
Addressing gender-specific challenges: With over half of women experiencing challenges due to their gender, efforts promoting gender equality, expanding women’s networks, and creating advocacy platforms are emphasised.
Work–life balance initiatives: Support systems such as flexible working policies, childcare services, and professional services, are essential to help women entrepreneurs manage work and family responsibilities effectively.
Enhancing market access and skills development: Programs focusing on improving delivery of raw materials to the region, market expansion and skill-building, may help women grow their businesses in a sustainable way.
Policy support for digital adoption: As many businesses engage in ecommerce, governments should continue to improve internet access to foster digital business operations.
Encouraging entrepreneurship: With 86% of respondents being business owners, there is a strong entrepreneurial culture. Governments and development partners should continue fostering this spirit by supporting women-focused business communities and offering leadership development programs that meet the needs of women.
The full report can be accessed here: https://shorturl.at/qXXJe
*Countries represented in the survey respondents (in order of numbers of responses):
Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, New Caledonia, Palau, Kiribati, Tuvalu, French Polynesia, Marshall Islands, Nauru.
**Sectors represented (in order of respondents):
Agriculture
Tourism
Retail Trade
Accommodation, Hospitality, and Food Service
Manufacturing
Professional Services
Arts and Crafts
Food Vendors
Education and Training
Market Vendors
Medical Services
Performing Arts
Technology
Building and Construction
Aquaculture
Transportation
Real Estate
Hairdressing
