A Goldman Sachs survey of former students of an entrepreneurship course in 37 countries, released last week, shows how women small business owners are facing the crisis caused by the pandemic. Most relevant data: 12% of Brazilian women say they have permanently ended their activities, a high number compared to 1% among Chinese women and 3% of the global average. The high ratio in the international comparison is a clear reflection of the lack of coordination between the federal government, states and municipalities in the fight against COVID-19, delays in vaccinating the population and the total number of infections and deaths – protracted factors. the crisis.
Women from all over the world reported a decrease in sales, but the situation here was more intense. In all, 66% of Brazilians said they had lost revenue, compared to less than 60% on average in 37 countries. The survey does not cite differences between countries as a justification for the billing data in Brazil. Brazilian entrepreneurs work in sectors similar to those of women entrepreneurs elsewhere. What makes it unique is living under a government that has become a kind of global reference for the mistakes made during the current health crisis.
Of course, there are also cultural issues. Here, 55% cited responsibilities to their children and the home as the biggest challenge, compared to 43% of the global average. 53 percent of Brazilian women said they care more about their family. Among this group, more than 25% believe this has negatively affected their companies. You see, besides being unfair and old-fashioned, masculinity is also bad for business.
Even in the face of many problems, Brazilian businesswomen have shown resilience. Nearly 80% said they had changed the business model. Nearly 60% stated that adopting digital solutions and new business practices made managing a company easier, with productivity gains.
It is not possible, in an economy of the size and complexity of Brazil, to underestimate the feeling and importance of women entrepreneurs. The Global Research Entrepreneurship Monitoring (GEM) program, a partnership between London Business School in the UK and Babson College in the US, estimates that there are 9.7 million women entrepreneurs established in Brazil. According to the GEM rating, they are women who have been running a consolidated business, paying salaries, working or any other form of remuneration to partners for more than 42 months. Together, they represent 43.5% of the total number of entrepreneurs in the country.
Brazil will only win if they stop meddling with them. These women need more help with housework, more training in technology, more access to finance and safe open schools to receive their children.
