On International Women’s Day, 8 March, Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell has acknowledged the importance of women in the workforce, particularly in the small business sector.
“International Women’s Day is an opportunity to recognise the significant contribution women make to the small business sector,” Kate says.
“According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 34 per cent of Australian businesses are run by women – that’s 691,000 businesses.”
Over the past two decades, the number of female-run small businesses has grown by 46 per cent – a growth rate almost double of that to men starting their own business over the same period of time.
“Research has shown that for many women, starting a business provides the flexibility to work from home, opportunity to pursue a passion, and the ability to better juggle work and family commitments,” Kate says.
“As a former small business owner, I understand what it’s like to work the long hours while looking after young children and running a household. So my admiration of these women is genuine.”
International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. International Women’s Day has occurred for well over a century, with the first March 8 IWD gathering supported by over a million people in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. Prior to this the Socialist Party of America, United Kingdom’s Suffragists and Suffragettes, and further groups campaigned for women equality.
Today, International Women’s Day belongs to all groups collectively everywhere.
BeanScene recognises the many wonderful women in coffee and their contribution to the Australian and global coffee scene.
