Gender inequality is a worldwide issue, but it is even worse for women living in developing countries. They experience difficulties when trying to receive education, face discrimination at the workplace, and much more. Thus, taking advantage of e-commerce is especially important for them since it can help level the economic playing field for women in developing nations. But how can they harness the power of e-commerce when they face significant barriers and have limited options?
E-commerce has taken over the business world, with companies already adapting their marketing strategies accordingly. At the beginning of the 21st century, purchasing something online was very rare. However, recent studies indicate that more than half of the world's population have shopped online, and online sales have significantly increased over the past couple of months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, e-commerce has changed market structures at both a local and global level, allowing female entrepreneurs to benefit significantly from the advantages provided by e-commerce tools.
It can also bring many benefits to women-owned SMEs operating in developing countries. Digital spaces can provide both men and women with equal opportunities while allowing women to expand their businesses from home, helping them abide by the cultural barriers that require them to stay in the house. But in order to take full advantage of this potential, women must first gain better access to the Internet. According to the ITU, only one out of seven women in LDCs uses the Internet, compared with one out of five men. Moreover, women are 50% less likely to utilize the Internet to increase their incomes than men, while mobile connectivity consistently remains lower for women than men.
Thus, to make sure they can thrive in the e-commerce world, several changes need to be made. First, governments in developing countries must improve the frameworks handling ICT, consumer protection, and security of transactions to provide access to a secure Internet. Second, all businesswomen must possess the required skills. They must be able to identify the ones they already have and fill the missing ones with training. Governments and organizations should also provide mentoring programs, so they can have the knowledge they need to grow their companies in the digital space. E-commerce can significantly drive women's empowerment, especially in developing countries, and therefore should be taken advantage of.
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