Entrepreneurs are an engine of economic growth (ERIA 2022). Addressing gaps between men and women entrepreneurs can increase innovation, create jobs, improve productivity, boost competitiveness, and grow wealth. In emerging Asia, recent rapid economic growth has led to remarkably improved socio-economic conditions, with expanded and enhanced employment opportunities, improved educational attainment, gradually rising wages and better living standards. Nevertheless, gender gap persists in many areas including entrepreneurship according to metrics such as self-employment rates and business creation rates. There are also gender differences, on average, in the nature of self-employment and entrepreneurship activities (ERIA 2021). This includes sector of operation, likelihood of creating additional jobs and more. Due consideration should be paid in terms of gender gaps in motivations or different barriers they face. Following the launch of ERIA’s Entrepreneurship, Start-ups, and Innovation (E-S-I) Knowledge Lab as part of its ongoing efforts to engage the growing community of innovators, aspiring entrepreneurs, and start-uppers in the region, this seminar aims to convene a blend of expertise and knowledge regarding the region, data, policy, education and gender issues, to identify ways to address potential structural and emerging challenges that are hampering women’s entrepreneurship. This will also set the path for the future work of E-S-I Knowledge Lab on women entrepreneurship.

Agenda

Moderator: Jui Chakravorty, Special Projects Editor, Nikkei Asia

Opening Remarks: Toru Furuichi, Director General for Research and Policy Design Administration, ERIA

Moderated Panel Discussion

• Giulia Ajmone Marsan, Director, Strategy and Partnership, ERIA
• Naoko Kawaguchi, Acting Head of the Tokyo Centre, OECD
• Natalie Au, Senior Associate, Gender Platform, Asian Ventre Philanthropy Network (AVPN)
• Kanyasorn Tansubhapol, Assistant to the President for Special Affairs, Chulalongkorn University

Wrap up: Jui Chakravorty, Special Projects Editor, Nikkei Asia

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