As women advance within the business community, they have to think seriously about coming together, identifying their interests and then advocating for them. This is true across the spectrum of economic development. As the needs of women entrepreneurs grow, their business organizations need to expand and develop their capabilities and services accordingly. CIPE's upcoming conference next June for directors of women's business associations and women entrepreneurs is designed to deliver valuable practical information on how these groups can expand their capacity and better serve the needs of the women's business community worldwide. For women's businesses to flourish in the global economy of the future, they need to be represented by organizations that do more than just provide access and networking.
Advocacy can increase access to education and foster the growth and dynamism of women-owned firms.
It can help spur reform of laws that hold women back from business ownership and hamper their ability to use collateral to obtain financing. Advocacy also needs to be used to raise the awareness of international development organizations such as the World Bank that business ownership by women should be a key goal in developing countries. It is a goal just as important as improving women's health and educational prospects. Most importantly, advocacy can change attitudes. One thing is certain.