Laura Fargas Madriles’ Post

#WomensInternationalDay Economic empowerment is not only about promoting women's economic participation but also ensuring that women have the resources, skills, and support they need to succeed in the economy. This is what we are doing.   Through one of our projects, we supported more than 50 women-led-businesses in 2023.   Supporting and empowering women in business contributes to the growth and development of societies and can lead to innovation. When women-owned businesses are given the chance to succeed, they can bring new ideas, products, and services that promote innovation and make the market more competitive. #InvestInWomen #WomensInternationalDay #empoweringwomen #equity #inclusion #equal participation by all people in social, political and economic life. Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

Would you also like to witness gender equality in your life time? According to UN Women's most recent report, at the current rate of progress, it will take 286 years for the world to achieve gender equality. Per the World Economic Forum it will take another 132 years to close the global gender gap.

On this #InternationalWomensDay, we spotlight some insightful perspectives from our work highlighting the impact of 'Investing in Women' to accelerate progress: ✅ Nurturing women's success in the tech startup ecosystem by exploring ways to maintain gender balance and provide support to women participating in entrepreneurial programs https://lnkd.in/dknS98y4 ✅ Empowering young women as leaders is crucial for building a just and climate-resilient future in Africa https://lnkd.in/dYyrBNAy ✅ Leveraging technology for digital savings groups holds immense potential to help underserved women overcome financial exclusion and bridge the persistent gender gap https://lnkd.in/dFj_7V3c ✅ Fixing finance for women: the critical need to redesign financial systems that meet women's needs, accelerating economic empowerment: https://lnkd.in/dpKebvx9 Amolo Ngweno Maelis Carraro Phoebe K. Keeya-Lee Ayre Shirley Mburu Carmen Wamukoya Michelle Hassan Jane Del Ser Julie Zollmann Nelly Ramírez Moncada Ambika Chopra Malika Anand Maria Puch Anne Gachoka Nancy Kiarie Wairimu Gitahi Hannah Eskinder #IWD24 #invest #empower #accelerateprogress

Happy #InternationalWomensDay. Today we reflect on the importance of inclusion, diversity and empowerment in all aspects of society. We reflect on where we came from, where we stand today and the road that is still ahead of us. Working in the #climateinnovation space, characterised by its commitment to innovation and renowned for its pioneering spirit, I was kind of surprised to see that here too there is still a huge gender inequity problem. Despite generating more revenue, being financially more sustainable, and having a greater focus on sustainability and social consciousness compared to their male counterparts, women entrepreneurs globally receive no more than 5% of venture capital funding each year. And, a 2022 study showed that women-founded enterprises in Europe accounted for only 10 per cent of total start-ups created. Let’s take time to think about what we all can do to shift the status quo. Investing in #women is financially smart and good for our planet.   Together with my colleague Wallis Grant, I collaborated on a series of insightful stories aimed at raising awareness and showcasing the gender work we do with our partners around the globe at EIT Climate-KIC. We developed a practical guide with 5 actions organisations can take to be gender smart. We proudly launched our campaign today. Each month, we'll be spotlighting one action through interviews and case studies. I’m looking forward to sharing these stories with you in the coming months. Are you already gender smart in your organisation? Check out our practical actions to start today below. 

Investing in women is financially smart and good for our planet. Women-led ventures generate more revenue, are more financially sustainable, and have a greater focus on sustainability and social consciousness compared to their male counterparts. Surprisingly, this group of entrepreneurs receives no more than 5% venture capital funding globally every year. This is the reality for women entrepreneurs across the world. At EIT Climate-KIC, we’re committed to driving systemic change in gender equity across the climate innovation sector. Our programme, supported by Irish Aid, helps partners identify gaps in their understanding of gender inequity and implement concrete actions for organisations to embed a gender lens into their everyday work. Today, on International Women’s Day, we are kicking of a series of impactful activities and highlighting the gender work we do. Until June, we'll spotlight one action each month through interviews and case studies. So what actionable steps can organisations take to address gender inequity in climate entrepreneurship? Download our "5 actions to be gender smart for innovative climate entrepreneurship" here: https://bit.ly/48JkKlR #IWD #InspireInclusion #SystemsChange #ClimateEntrepreneurship #WomenEntrepreneurs

Investing in women is financially smart and good for our planet. Women-led ventures generate more revenue, are more financially sustainable, and have a greater focus on sustainability and social consciousness compared to their male counterparts. Surprisingly, this group of entrepreneurs receives no more than 5% venture capital funding globally every year. This is the reality for women entrepreneurs across the world. At EIT Climate-KIC, we’re committed to driving systemic change in gender equity across the climate innovation sector. Our programme, supported by Irish Aid, helps partners identify gaps in their understanding of gender inequity and implement concrete actions for organisations to embed a gender lens into their everyday work. Today, on International Women’s Day, we are kicking of a series of impactful activities and highlighting the gender work we do. Until June, we'll spotlight one action each month through interviews and case studies. So what actionable steps can organisations take to address gender inequity in climate entrepreneurship? Download our "5 actions to be gender smart for innovative climate entrepreneurship" here: https://bit.ly/48JkKlR #IWD #InspireInclusion #SystemsChange #ClimateEntrepreneurship #WomenEntrepreneurs

Today is #InternationWomanDay! When I was reporting on climate solutions at The Beam, something became clear very quickly: women entrepreneurs do not get a fair share of the cake when it comes to investment. Things haven't changed that much since then. The problem is: When all the solutions come from the same people, those who get the most investment - aka, white men - they are often not adapted to women, especially black and brown women. I remember clean cooking stoves that had been designed in European offices for the African market. The smart engineers forgot one thing: to ask the end-users, women in Africa villages, what they needed. A month after they were delivered and once the team from Europe left, the stoves were abandoned. They weren't adapted. All of this to say, one of the biggest and most effective actions one can take is to give direct investment or financing to women-led organisations. This will go a huge way in closing the investment gap that exists. And as a bonus, we now know that investing in women-founded companies generates more revenues, and for longer, compared to companies founded by men. There are more ideas on what to do in "5 Actions to be gender smart for innovative climate entrepreneurship" that you can find in the post below and on Climate-KIC gender mainstreaming page: https://lnkd.in/ermYMwKT

In today's dynamic business landscape, investing in initiatives that promote gender equality and women's empowerment is not just a matter of social responsibility; it's a strategic imperative. Smile NGO, dedicated to fostering women entrepreneurship, presents a compelling opportunity for investors seeking both financial returns and positive social impact. Driving Economic Growth: Supporting women entrepreneurs through Smile NGO fuels economic growth by tapping into a vast pool of talent and creativity. By providing women with the necessary resources, training, and mentorship, Smile NGO empowers them to establish and scale their businesses, contributing to job creation, innovation, and overall economic prosperity. Enhancing Diversity and Innovation: Diversity in leadership has been proven to drive innovation and enhance decision-making processes. By backing Smile NGO's efforts to empower women entrepreneurs, investors can promote diversity in the business world, fostering a culture of innovation and creativity that is essential for long-term success in today's competitive market. Mitigating Investment Risks: Businesses with diverse leadership teams, including women, are better equipped to navigate challenges and seize opportunities. Investing in Smile NGO's initiatives not only aligns with principles of social responsibility but also mitigates investment risks by supporting businesses that are likely to outperform their less diverse counterparts. Investing in Smile NGO is not just about short-term gains; it's about building long-term value for investors, businesses, and society as a whole. By fostering an environment where women can thrive as entrepreneurs, Smile NGO lays the foundation for sustainable growth and prosperity, benefiting investors and communities for years to come. #womenempowerment #investinwomen #SMILEFOUNDATIONFYBBA https://lnkd.in/d5DReH9Y

Are we seeing more and more gender disparity in business funding than usual? The funding gap for women-led startups is getting wider, and it's costing our economy billions. So far in 2024, female-only founding teams have received just 4% of total startup capital; a lower figure than last year's 5%. The numbers also show that teams with at least one woman founder got 13% of funding, down from 23% in 2023. The median deal for all-male teams is at $3 million. For all-female teams? Just $2 million. This isn't just about equality. It's about missed economic opportunities. Enterprising ME reports that leveling the playing field for women entrepreneurs could add $135 billion to Australia's economy. Think about that. $135 billion in potential growth, innovation, and job creation - all left on the table because we're not giving women founders a fair shot. There are some positives, no doubt. For instance, women made up 50% of pre-seed deals and were involved in 54% of accelerator funding rounds. But overall, the gap remains stark. The recent cancellation of the Boosting Female Founders program, despite its flaws, removes a key initiative aimed at addressing this imbalance. We need investment initiatives that actively seek out and fund women-led startups, not less. In addition, the government need to create policies that genuinely level the playing field. The potential $135 billion boost to our economy isn't just a number - it's a wake-up call. Every day we maintain this funding gap, we're leaving money on the table and stifling innovation. Let's make 2025 the year we close the gender funding gap. It's not just the right thing to do - it's the smart thing to do for our economic future. #EmpowerDiversity #FosteringInclusion #GenderDisparity #WomenAtWork #BreakingTheBias #GenderEquality #EqualityForAll #EqualOpportunities #WomenInBusiness #FemaleEntrepreneur #WomenLeadership #WomenEmpowerment #EPIC

On this International Day of Rural Women, we celebrate the crucial role rural women play in combating hunger, driving rural economies, and strengthening communities. Despite making up a large portion of the global population, many of these women lack the resources, recognition, and opportunities they need to thrive. We envision a future where rural women entrepreneurs are empowered with strategic guidance, tailored training, and access to vital networks—enabling them to scale their businesses, uplift their communities, and create lasting impact across Africa’s diverse landscapes. Let’s continue to support their journeys and amplify their voices, as they lead the way toward a more resilient and inclusive future. #RuralWomen #Entrepreneurship #InternationalDayofRuralWomen #WomenInAgriculture #Empowerment