| Acquiring venture capital is an important and | | | | the businesses women in poor areas want to start |
| sometimes vital step in launching a new business. | | | | are very simple and do not require huge up-front |
| With more than half of all new businesses being | | | | investments. Sometimes it is as simple as lending a |
| started by women, women make up a large | | | | woman enough money to purchase a cell phone. With |
| percentage of those taking out small business loans. | | | | that cell phone and a phone plan, she can re-sell |
| Banks and individuals worldwide recognize the | | | | "minutes" on the phone to other people (mostly |
| importance of empowering women to start their | | | | women) in her neighborhood or village. |
| own businesses, and there are many programs that | | | | Sometimes it's a matter of lending enough money for |
| women anywhere can take advantage of. For those | | | | a woman to plant a small garden, from which she can |
| who don't have credit, the lending application process | | | | sell her produce. Women are often the ideal |
| will focus on the woman's character, experience, and | | | | recipients for small business loans based on their goals |
| reliability. There are also loans specifically for women | | | | and resources. In places where lending to women |
| who are caring for young children and who want to | | | | starting businesses has caught on, women are more |
| start home-based businesses. | | | | respected and there are even reports of lower levels |
| So-called microfinance programs often target women | | | | of violence against women in such places. |
| in poverty stricken areas. That is because many of | | | | |