They only think women are good customers for micro-finance loans, she argues.
“[This mentality] says, let’s give them lots of small loans, 50,000 to 100,000 naira, ($300 to $700), so they can run small businesses and feed their families,” she says.
“Raising funds is difficult, but to be honest, people trust women more,” Amy Jadesimi laughs.
“You have to have a watertight proposal, make a good financing case and be confident in your pitch.”
A series of studies by McKinsey titled Women Matter, found that companies with a higher proportion of female executives showed stronger financial performance than those with no women in top positions.
The study showed that women tended to apply certain “leadership behaviours” more than men. They included people development, setting expectations and rewards and acting as role models.
Winihin Ayuli-Jemide welcomes these studies. “In Africa we really don’t have information about gender issues”, she said. “Nothing on how we are doing in the economy.”
“In oil and gas, women are emerging. There is a business case for it.” (BBC)[eap_ad_3]