Panel discussion tackles ‘weak’ environment for female entrepreneurs

AMMAN — Leading Jordanian businesswomen gathered at INJAZ’s mySTARTUP business incubator on Saturday for a panel discussion to address challenges facing female entrepreneurs.

Titled “Women Entrepreneurship in Jordan — Enablers and Barriers”, the event aimed at raising awareness on issues hindering women’s ability to start their own businesses, INJAZ CEO Deema Bibi told The Jordan Times  

“There is encouragement for women to become entrepreneurs but it is very weak,” she said, noting that this is why such events are needed to highlight the experience of panellists and help new entrepreneurs learn and grow their projects.

Bibi also said the media plays a role in highlighting the challenge facing entrepreneurs, especially women, by telling their success stories. 

The event’s panellists included founder and Director of Better Business Abeer Qumsieh, Director of Strategy and Partnerships at the Crown Prince Foundation (CPF) Mais Al Daoud, Global Director of Engineering at Hitachi Erin Keeley, founder of SahhaTech Batool Dabbass and founder of Mariana’s World Leena Abu Samha. 

The panellists shared stories on obstacles they had to overcome to make it to where they are today, such as social barriers or financial challenges, and told the audience about how they managed to succeed and make changes in their own lives.

Bibi said that the event will not be the last of its kind, as they need to be held until the idea of entrepreneurship in general, and for women in particular, is rooted in the mindset of communities. Once this happens, everyone will be able to work on what they are passionate about and contribute their ideas and efforts, Bibi added.