Celebrating our unique traits and contributions

In WOMEN'S MONTH, let us celebrate our special strengths as women entrepreneurs, and work to conquer our challenges.

- Busi Raphekwane

Every year in August we celebrate women and acknowledge the importance of the contribution they make within our society. Although this contribution is recognised, it remains concerning how greatly marginalised women are in the business environment. I often ask myself; how is it that after so many years of efforts to integrate women into the business environment, we still only have 34% of women-owned businesses in South Africa? (according to a survey conducted by Facebook in partnership with the World Bank and OECD).

Women entrepreneurs bring enormous value to the business environment and that can benefit society as a whole. However, we still face challenges, and we are not always taken seriously, particularly in industries that are male-dominated.

So, why do so many women battle to gain ground and grow?

Businesses are built on having strong networks. Particulary when women enter a male-dominated industry, they generally find that the men in that industry have formed strong relationships and networks. It is hard to break into those already established networks, especially when one is new to the market, and this may hamper the progress of their business.

I also believe one of biggest problems is us – women ourselves - because of our preconditioning when we start businesses. We automatically place barriers and limitations on ourselves by making assumptions that it will be difficult for us to grow within those industries. When we do this, it holds us back from operating at our full potential.

These are just some of the aspects that women have to deal with when operating in industries that are male dominated. However, there are also characteristics that truly sets us apart, and these traits need to embraced for us to show up authentically and to operate in our areas of excellence.