Female entrepreneurship: Gender equality in the start-up space in the Pacific Islands

In the Pacific Islands women are pursuing entrepreneurship more than ever, however, statistics show that gender equality in the startup space is still far from balanced.

Women face significant discrimination, compounded by traditional value systems that create barriers to carry out simple things like gain access to startup finance, purchase land and open bank accounts.

yher Pacific is an accelerator programme designed by women specifically for Pacific-based female social impact entrepreneurs. 

In this podcast, we talk to Audrey Jean-Baptiste, Regional Director for yher Pacific, about what yher Pacific does and how the initiative is helping to achieve gender equality in the start-up space. 

yher Pacific is also a BLP partner and is working with us to connect aspiring female entrepreneurs in the Pacific Islands with BLP’s services. 

Host: Emma Crawford-Falekaono

Emma has over 15 years’ experience in chartered accountancy and commercial environments globally. She started her career in accounting before taking time out to deploy as a Military Police Officer to Southern Afghanistan.  In 2014, she made the move into the tech industry and is now a Business Consultant for Business Link Pacific, delivering professional development and skills training courses to growing businesses in the Pacific region. 

Credits:

Recorded, mixed & edited by Dave Rhodes of Dave Rhodes Productions.

Music credit: Alex Khaskin

Business Link Pacific is a private sector programme supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade and DT Global. The core team is based in Auckland, New Zealand and supported by in-country partners in Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Cook Islands. 

For more information visit the Business Link Pacific Portal: https://businesslinkpacific.com/ 

Chapters

• 0:00 Guest Introduction
• 1:47 Tell us about yher Pacific - what are the core objectives of this initiative?
• 5:01 What is the business environment like in the Pacific Islands, especially for women & youth?
• 11:42 Why is it important to back women-led ventures/enterprises?
• 13:54 How important is it for women entrepreneurs to invest in quality business advice?
• 16:33 Can you tell us about your recent partnership with BLP? How do you envision this working relationship in the future?
• 19:00 What is the best way for people to get in contact with yher Pacific?
• 20:23 Presenter wrap-up