The Sharjah Businesswomen Council and the American University of Sharjah (AUS) have unveiled two policy papers containing 16 recommendations to support women entrepreneurs and social enterprises in the UAE.
The recommendations follow a two-year research and consultation process that included four dialogue forums and a survey of 119 women entrepreneurs. According to the announcement, 75% of respondents who answered the financing question used personal savings to fund their first venture.
The research identified challenges related to professional networks and mentorship, work-life balance, financing, market access and support resources. The recommendations therefore focus on expanding funding options, improving access to markets, strengthening professional networks and developing more targeted mentorship and skills programs.
The first paper proposes measures including dedicated financing programs, improved access to government procurement, more flexible credit requirements, stronger links between entrepreneurs and investors, and better gender-disaggregated data.
The second paper focuses on social enterprises, recommending early-stage grants, interest-free financing, social investment funds, clearer recognition and accreditation pathways, social procurement frameworks and practical impact measurement tools.
Both papers are aligned with the seven themes of the UAE’s national entrepreneurship and SME agenda, including financing, innovation, digital transformation, human capital and ease of doing business.
Source: Sharjah 24
