“The empowerment of women is the most effective tool for development.” — Kofi Annan.

When Mowgli expanded across Africa, we also increased our beneficiary focus to include women. We’re walking the talk having recently partnered with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to address Tunisia’s gender gaps, through the European Union funded, Programme d’Appui à la Compétitivité des Services (PACS Programme).

In a country where only a third of startups founded by women will survive compared to over two-thirds of male-founded enterprises, this program hopes to address market failures and give women-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) equal opportunities so that they can deliver in terms of economic performance, job creation and other social gains, thus contributing fully to building free, market-oriented economies and democratic societies.

“The impact of entrepreneurial mentoring cultivates generations of able business leaders who go beyond shaping economies to also shape communities and societies. In Tunisia, women-led businesses make up less than 10 percent of the SMEs and through our partnership with the EBRD we hope to build on the great progress they have made to date, strengthen them as entrepreneurs and leaders, and increase this figure to 20 or 30 per cent, which is critical for Tunisia to realise its full economic potential.” Kathleen Bury, CEO Mowgli Mentoring

Having matched 12 women in business with trained Mowgli Mentors for a year of one-on-one mentoring, we’re looking to develop the serve to lead philosophy, and involve more women in fully driving economic and societal development throughout Tunisia by creating an enabling environment where women develop their confidence and capacity to grow their businesses sustainably.