Erika Watson

With the General Election fast approaching, businesswomen support organisation Prowess has produced its own manifesto to put female entrepreneurs on the political agenda.

Prowess, which supports women to start and grow their own businesses, has put together the Manifesto for Women’s Enterprise to raise awareness of the issues that Messrs Blair, Howard and Kennedy must address to get the vote of the nation’s enterprising women.

Recommendations include:

• The provision of business support promoted, designed and delivered to meet women’s needs.
• Improvements in data collection to underpin policies and programmes reflecting the realities of the changing labour market.
• Appropriate financial packaging, and understanding by financiers who are approached by women for support.
• A reassessment of welfare benefit policies, which can act as a disincentive to women going into business.
• An acknowledgement, through practical policies, of caring responsibilities for both women and men.

The manifesto provides facts to support the case for action on each issue, and describes what needs to be done by the incoming Government at both national and regional levels.

‘Our Manifesto highlights issues that should be familiar to politicians but on which they need to take action,’ says Erika Watson, Executive Director of Prowess. ‘An entrepreneurial culture, which includes women, is vital for the economic health of the UK. Real commitment to creating an economic environment that enables women to achieve their potential, balance their lives and contribute to a dynamic economy is needed. It is now time for effective resources and dedicated action.’

For further information visit:

• www.prowess.org.uk