亚开行-增强增长能力：支持萨摩亚妇女在农业综合企业中发挥领导作用（英）

ADB BRIEFSNO. 313SEPTEMBER 2024Empowering Growth: Supporting Women in Samoa to Lead the Way in AgribusinessKEY POINTS• Though constrained by unequal land rights, limited access to and control over credit, and prevailing social norms and gender stereotypes, with the right support, women in Samoa can become agribusiness leaders, driving inclusive economic development.• The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic severely impacted Samoa’s economy, employment, and livelihoods. Women were disproportionately affected, reporting reduced work hours and lower income.• The Samoa Agribusiness Support project provided financial and business development support to 26 women-owned-and-managed businesses for their equipment procurement and marketing activities.• Expanding the operations of women-owned-and-led agribusinesses requires tailored support. Broader efforts are needed to address women’s needs in agribusiness; improve compliance standards; and enhance support for women-led micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in the informal sector. ISBN 978-92-9270-877-1 (print)ISBN 978-92-9270-878-8 (PDF)ISSN 2071-7202 (print)ISSN 2218-2675 (PDF)Publication Stock No. BRF240427DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.22617/BRF240427Ingrid FitzgeraldFormer Senior Gender and Social Development Officer Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department (CCSD) Asian Development Bank (ADB)Aleta Moriarty Consultant CCSD, ADBRachel Mary Anne A. BasasGender Officer CCSD, ADB Malika ShagazatovaSenior Social Development Specialist (Gender and Development) CCSD, ADBINTRODUCTIONWomen’s leadership has been a long-standing tradition in Samoa. Despite lower levels of formal workforce participation, higher unpaid care workload, and concentration in vulnerable informal employment, women in Samoa have become the trailblazers within their families and in community development. They play a leading role in family businesses, public and private sector organizations, and civil society. In 2019, women held 43% of senior management positions and comprised 23.7% of directors on the boards of public bodies. In 2021, women held one-third of director positions.1 Of the microbusinesses that constitute 74% of formally registered micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Samoa, 35% are owned or led by women, and 37% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are owned or led by women.2This brief underscores the pivotal role that women in Samoa play in agribusiness, despite often being overlooked in formal economic statistics. Through the Samoa Agribusiness Support Project, women-owned-and-led agribusinesses were able to access much-needed credit and technical assistance, helping them to expand operations, improve market access, and withstand economic shocks. By focusing on enhancingNote: In this publication, “$” refers to United States dollars.1 Government of Samoa, Ministry for Public Enterprises. 2019. Collaborating with the Samoa Institute of Directors to Encourage Gre