(20 August 2008)

A report published today identifies ways to encourage Asian women to start social enterprises. Social enterprise, a form of business with primarily social or environmental objectives, can be a useful tool to alleviate poverty amongst those marginalised in society. The Government recognises that increasing numbers of Asian, particularly Pakistani and Bangladeshi women, who are under represented in the workplace, can become more economically independent by setting up such businesses.

There are at least 55,000 social enterprises in the UK which contribute £8.4 billion pounds to the UK economy, but evidence suggests that BAME women are underrepresented as social enterprise owners. The report, entitled 'Social Enterprise: Making it Work for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Women identifies new ways to progress forward in encouraging and supporting BAME women into starting social enterprises.

These include:

• Creating resources to signpost women to key sources of advice and funding;
• Developing a bank of case studies of BAME women social entrepreneurs;
• Identifying ways to disseminate information on social enterprises to BAME women;
• Considering how women's centres and children's centres could provide a space for BAME women together to share their experiences and create their own networks; and
• Conducting further research into the needs of BAME women wanting to set up social enterprises to build a better picture across the country.

The main barriers to Asian women entering social enterprise were identified in the report as:

• Low awareness of social enterprise among BAME women;
• Limits on time and family obligations;
• Securing finance ' for example knowledge gaps in identifying potential funding sources or how to apply for and secure funding;
• Lack of knowledge of business development and finance and expertise about marketing goods and services;
• Low Confidence and Motivation; and
• Multiple disadvantage - cultural stereotyping within and outside communities which holds back their participation in business and wider society.