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permeates many social and province but I don’t want to be the year. Since the start of this century it
institutional structures. The abolition only one forever. I wish there were has had two female prime ministers
of guardianship rules would help more women working alongside – though both served only brief
to advance female empowerment, me in local government and leading terms – and a widely liked female
especially in MENA and countries departments and I am trying to president who served for 12 years.
belonging to the Gulf Cooperation make this a reality for other Afghan It has been reported that Finnish
Council (GCC). Having the freedom women.” A brave woman willing children sometimes ask their
to vote, and having the option to vote to risk her life to represent her parents if a man can be president
for a woman candidate who would community provides an amazing because they are so used to seeing
fight for women’s rights, could make role model for young women fresh to a female president!
an enormous difference. the changing political landscape in
their country. Women in business
To give countries across MENA Unfortunately, the glass ceiling still
something to aim for, Finland - which exists for women. Whilst there are
Entrepreneurial hubs can be
often tops the global tables for many well-known female CEOs
the perfect home for start-ups
female empowerment - now has and entrepreneurs, the number of
and women who have chosen
the world’s youngest serving prime women in the boardroom is nowhere
to ‘go it alone’
minister. For more than a century, close to approaching parity.
the Nordic country has blazed a
trail for women in politics. Social For entrepreneurs, taking their
Democrat, Sanna Marin, is the future into their own hands seems
youngest serving premier in the a more effective way to achieve
Examples of how even the strictest world at 34, mother to a toddler, and success. But it’s not all plain sailing.
societies further afield have heads a coalition of four other parties Research by the UK Government
3
begun to change look promising. that are all led by women. Three of into the top five issues women
In Afghanistan - notorious for its
them, like her, are under 40. entrepreneurs face proved that
gender apartheid of women under women have major problems
the Taliban - a young woman has You may need to read that sentence accessing finance, face regular
found herself at the forefront of again - yes, all five main national sexism/bias, fear failure, lack
women entering politics. Mentioned political parties have female network/mentors, and struggle to
as one of BBC’s ‘100 Women of leaders! Finland has always been a
the Year 2019’, Zarifa Ghafari is pioneer in political gender equality, juggle family and business.
one of Afghanistan’s first female the first country in Europe to give Marom, Robb, and Sade’s research 4
mayors. The country’s president women the vote in 1906, and the first looked at whether crowdfunding
appointed her mayor of Maidan
in the world to allow them to stand reduces barriers for female
Wardag, where support for the
as candidates in elections that same entrepreneurs in raising capital.
Taliban is widespread. She’s 26
but took the job despite it being too
dangerous for her to live there - her
office was mobbed by angry men
on her first day. When asked about
her new role, she said; “I’m the
first female mayor for this war-torn

www.MiddleEast-Business.com 7 year, Issue 26, Mar - May 2020
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