CIPE’s fourth regional study of women’s business associations features Central and Eastern Europe. This report by Cornelia Rotaru explores the business environment, the role of women’s associations, and the status of women-owned businesses:

By reducing poverty and social exclusion, women’s business associations have contributed to job creation, advocated for sensible public policy, and started social responsibility initiatives. Business women’s organizations are actively engaged in entrepreneurship development, and provide necessary services to women: training in management and marketing, foreign languages, business information and contacts, participation in fairs and exhibitions, and IT support. Women’s business groups around the region have engaged women in the social or ethnic reconciliation process.

The case study comes from Romania: the Association of Businesswomen and Top Managers in Brasov (AFAFCI).

AFAFCI has begun to change society’s perception of women managers through the Femina VIP award. Hundreds of managers and entrepreneurs compete annually to be named businesswoman of the year, which raises the profile of women in business throughout the region. Over the past two decades businesswomen have increased their visibility in the community and brought about a dramatic improvement in how women are viewed and treated in business.

Download:
“Women’s Business Associations, Experiences from Around the World: Central and Eastern Europe”

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