Women Entrepreneurs Driving Change IN TUNISIA
This International Women’s Day, 8 March, join us in uniting under the theme “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”. To mark this annual event, Mashrou3i is celebrating the contribution of Tunisian women who are challenging gender stereotypes through entrepreneurship. We highlight some of the women across the country who are forging change in their communities through agribusiness and leading the way on climate change for a sustainable future.
Gender equality and women empowerment are a global imperative. Women represent half of the world’s population, but their access to opportunities is far from equal. In Tunisia, as in many countries in the world, entrepreneurship remains a male-dominated field. Regardless of effort and achievement, both conscious and unconscious bias prevail regarding the credibility and capability of women. While progress has been made in women's rights, Tunisia ranks 126th in terms of gender equality - dropping 2 places since 2020. Women are also disproportionately affected by unemployment, especially women graduates in the country's interior regions.
Factors like a lack of access to financing, markets, agricultural training and education, suitable working conditions, equal treatment and land rights put female entrepreneurs at a considerable disadvantage before they even start their business. However, as these Mashrou3i supported entrepreneurs prove, women have learnt to harness their strengths and are challenging gender bias as they carve out new possibilities for themselves and others.
LEADING CLIMATE ACTION IN SIDI BOUZID
As women bear the burden of climate impacts, they are also essential to driving change in climate adaption, mitigation and solutions. Imen Jabli from Sidi Bouzid is one of the women leaders in a traditionally male-dominated industry who is promoting more effective climate action. The 30-year-old launched INARA Solutions, a green business specialized in the installation of photovoltaic panels, helping companies and households in the country's central regions gain access to renewable energy.
I face many challenges with suppliers and clients because I am young woman in a male-dominated sector. It's hard to get people to take you seriously. Over the last year, I've learned how to adapt my behavior and to be seen as a confident leader to gain their respect. -Imen Jabli, Sidi Bouzid
Find out how Mashrou3i business coaching and technical training enabled Imen to improve her skills and access new markets.
PRESERVING Tunisia’s biodiversity
Rural women play a vital role in preserving biodiversity and genetic plant resources, as Rania Aloui from Jendouba demonstrates. Determined to safeguard the region’s unique plant species, the 27-year-old pharmaceutical biotechnology graduate launched Flophoria - a nursery specialized in the cultivation of medicinal plants.
Wild fires and cutting methods that don’t respect nature have led to the near extinction of certain species in our forests. Through Flophoria, I am cultivating these plants, helping to preserve the region’s unique biodiversity." - Rania Aloui, Jendouba
Find how how technical training provided by Mashrou3i enabled Rania to diversify her business and start transforming medicinal plants and essential oils into higher value-added cosmetic products.
Adding Value to KEBILI'S PALM DATE VALUE CHAIN
In Tunisia, especially in the south, there is a predominantly male-dominated society, where women are perceived as the carer, nurturer and mother. These gender inequalities often restrict the ambitions of women to start and run a business. However, a growing number of women entrepreneurs, like Mbarka Jellouli, are challenging these stereotypes.
After raising 6 children, and without a degree, Mbarka never thought she would become an entrepreneur. Yet, in 2021, the 46-year-old launched a business specialized in date processing and derivatives in Kebili. Today, she provides full-time employment to 4 people and many others through seasonal jobs. Drawing on Mashrou3i technical training to expand her knowledge, Mbarka has established herself in the date palm value chain and become a role model for other women in her region.
Through my business I have found my self-worth and my self-confidence.” - Mbarka Jellouli, Kebili
CHALLENGING STEREOTYPES TO PROTECT the OASES
While discussing with a friend, Naouel Hammi got an idea that would transform her life. The housewife and mother of 3 children, decided to launch a textile business "Analyna Confection", specialized in the production of nets that protect the date palms from the rain and sandstorms. Through her business, Naouel helps ensure the quality and nutritional value of the dates so they can be processed and sold to local and foreign markets. She also provides employment to 15 people, mainly rural women.
Being a woman in the South and starting a business is not easy. Through my business, I am proud to contribute to safeguarding the region's date palms.” - Naouel Hammi, Tozeur
Find out more about how Mashrou3i enabled Naouel to enhance her technical skills in textiles and is supporting her to successfully diversify her business into household linen.
WOMEN UNITE FOR EMPOWERMENT THROUGH MEDICINAL PLANTS
Gleiya Sediki is one a growing number of women active in Tunisia's civil society to support young graduates and unemployed rural women to build networks for economic empowerment. In 2021, the geography graduate from Gafsa established “Gouvern’elles” ("LeaderHer" in English) - a women's cooperative with 26 members that collects and adds value to the region's wild and medicinal plants.
The idea came simply from our desire to take matters into our own hands. United with other women like me, graduates and unemployed, we thought about how best to bring an income to our families by valuing wild mountain plants, like thyme and rosemary through the extraction of essential oils.” - Gleiya Seddiki, Gafsa
Find out how Mashrou3i is supporting the Gouvern’elles cooperative to strengthen its social impact and promote its products at local and national trade fairs.
ABOUT MASHROU3I
Mashrou3i (‘my project’ in Arabic) is a joint project of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), the HP Foundation and UNIDO. Mashrou3i fosters youth entrepreneurship in Tunisia and supports the creation and growth of enterprises. The project combines UNIDO’s on-the-ground experience supporting beneficiaries in the creation and growth of small businesses, its working relationships with Tunisian partner organizations and HP’s Learning Initiative for Entrepreneurs (HP LIFE) programme, which consists of free online courses covering basic business, IT and entrepreneurship skills. Stay up to date on all Mashrou3i's project activities and latest entrepreneur success stories by exploring our website and following our social media pages (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).
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