Empowering Rural Women through Entrepreneurship and Organizational Support/Dr. Melika Molk Ara

kalamemandegar/ The role of “human” as a pivotal component in the economic growth and development of countries is evident. Unlike the components of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, nanotechnology, biotechnology, 3D printing, augmented reality, virtual reality, etc.), which were entirely technology-driven, the Fifth Industrial Revolution introduces “human” alongside “sustainability and resilience” as key elements. This indicates that technological advancement should not diminish the role of humans in societies, and issues related to human resources, including education, HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment), and entrepreneurship development, remain crucial.

Today, phenomena like globalization, international job migration, and urban development are altering economic indicators. Amidst these changes, the creation of infrastructure and mechanisms for training and nurturing skilled human resources is a primary focus for governments and international organizations like UNESCO. UNESCO combats illiteracy and provides basic education for all societal strata, emphasizing literacy, teacher training, secondary education, technical and vocational education, science and technology education, peace and human rights education, lifelong learning, and education with a focus on cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, cultural policy-making, interfaith and intercultural dialogue, cultural industries, creativity, and more.

Modern economies require agile economic entities to adapt to changes. Education plays a vital role in nurturing society, particularly in fostering entrepreneurs, which is a cornerstone for economic improvement. Governments plan to stimulate their societies by nurturing, supporting, and educating entrepreneurs for development and survival. Entrepreneurship is a dynamic process that leads to value creation and economic development, providing quality goods and services to consumers. Economists view entrepreneurs as the pulse of the economy, guiding society towards progress and prosperity.

Iran’s rural areas are the backbone of agricultural and industrial production. Therefore, efficient planning for managing entrepreneurs from inception to the full operation of economic entities is essential. These entrepreneurs can emerge from within rural communities, particularly from women. If rural products align with societal tastes and are guided by industrial expertise, a bright future for rural businesses and employment can be envisioned. One suggestion is for chambers of commerce, as national institutions, and UNESCO to support rural women’s entrepreneurship to establish small-scale industries, which require less investment compared to other ventures. In the short term, outsourcing parts of the production process from large industrial units to rural businesses can reduce the overall cost of products.

National economic plans and documents mention entrepreneurship, but there are still many potentials and capacities in this field that require needs assessment and commercialization of ideas. Entrepreneurship is defined across various domains and categorized in different ways, from the scale of investment to the type of idea, including women’s entrepreneurship. National and international organizations provide moral support in this regard, such as UNESCO, which has an educational, scientific, and cultural mandate. It is crucial to recognize that societal growth and advancement require the effort and participation of all societal strata, including women, who, while maintaining family integrity, are also capable of establishing economic entities and contributing to family and societal economic prosperity.

The empowerment of rural women through entrepreneurship, supported by organizations like UNESCO, not only enhances the capabilities of half of society but also accelerates economic growth. Conferences, seminars, and specialized meetings aim to promote, culturally adapt, and model women’s entrepreneurship, boost national production with public participation, support startups and knowledge-based businesses, identify opportunities and challenges for women’s entrepreneurship, and ultimately enhance economic indicators by leveraging the full potential of society.

Dr. Melika Molk Ara: Researcher and Economic Activist