Empowering Women Entrepreneurs, Shaping Policy

Q: How is AMMJE influencing Mexico’s business landscape, and what have been its main achievements in the past year?

A: AMMJE, founded on Nov. 15, 1965, aims to support women entrepreneurs in Mexico. We have created promotion programs and formed strategic alliances for leadership and training, but challenges persist. Women make up 52% of Mexico's population, but only 45% participate in the economy, compared to 70% in countries like Iceland and Sweden.

Key issues include a high percentage of informal employment among women. Of all working women, 83% work in the informal economy and 17% in the formal economy. The informal sector limits access to resources, training, and financing. AMMJE focuses on transitioning women from informal to formal businesses through mentorship and training. Formalization provides better access to government programs, financing, and long-term sustainability. Our goal is to help women overcome barriers and achieve economic stability and growth through formal business practices.

Q: What specific strategies does AMMJE employ to increase the visibility and impact of women entrepreneurs? 

A: AMMJE focuses on raising awareness about the importance of entrepreneurship for personal freedom and economic stability. We emphasize the need for businesses to operate formally, and we provide various resources to support this. This includes leadership and mentorship courses, partnerships with banks and government entities for financial support, and collaborations with universities for specialized training.

We offer training at different stages of business development through partnerships with organizations like Coppel, Fundación Movistar, WeConnect, COMCE, NAFIN, and others. We also run mentorship programs and have partnered with institutions such as Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, TC de Monterrey, Incarnate Word University, Consejo de la Comunicación, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and others academic institutions to provide mentorship and training. During the pandemic, we promoted digitalization and technology adoption through initiatives like the Academia AMMJE, held with Google Developers.  And of course, last but not least, our annual Summits: Reconecta Summit, Metaversa Summit, Bit-Leaders Summit,  and Conect-IA Summit in October 2024. 

Q: What are some of the innovative solutions or technologies that AMMJE promotes to help women scale up their businesses? 

A: Each year, AMMJE hosts a major summit, where we award the Best Entrepreneur and recognize significant achievements, such as growth and mentorship contributions. We also hold a competition for the following year’s summit location; last year, it was in Nuevo Leon, and this year it will be in Irapuato, Guanajuato. The event highlights the role of women in the digital age.

We offer courses and invite renowned tech experts to support our members. For example, we are using blockchain technology to create a digital credential system for our members, which includes discounts and benefits. Our focus is also on promoting internal market growth and providing extensive training in leadership, financial management, marketing, technology, and legal resources.

During the pandemic, we quickly adapted by offering 16 workshops in eight months and recorded them for on-demand access. This initiative impacted over 4,000 women, including those outside our association and those in informal sectors. We recognize the need for supportive policies that address gender disparities, such as flexible education and employment opportunities, to support women’s advancement and economic contribution. We are committed to bridging the gender pay gap and promoting policies for better work-life balance.

Q: What public policies does AMMJE advocate for to ensure gender equality in the business world, and how successful have these efforts been? 

A: AMMJE advocates for policies that support digital technology adoption, including e-commerce platforms and digital marketing tools, to help women scale their businesses. We also promote sustainable and innovative practices to enhance competitiveness. We work to address the gender pay gap and increase visibility for women’s contributions to the economy. Research shows that women’s leadership improves productivity and reduces staff turnover, which benefits companies financially.

Changing mindsets in leadership remains challenging and slow. We emphasize the need for more women in decision-making roles, as diverse teams, particularly those including women, are more effective and productive. We also push for policies that ensure women can work in a secure and stress-free environment, as this improves productivity. While there is growing recognition of these issues, deeper integration and understanding are still needed. More visibility for women’s successes, rather than negative portrayals, is crucial. The recent election of a female president is a positive step that inspires future generations and supports our goal of increasing women’s representation in leadership positions.

Q: What policies can the new administration promote to advance the limited participation of women in the formal economy?

A: We hope the new government will address the cultural barriers that restrict women. Despite progress in gender parity, a great deal of work remains. The election of a female president is a positive change that we believe will drive further progress. Women constitute 52% of Mexico’s population, and integrating 8.2 million more women into the economy could boost GDP by 15% by 2030, according to IMCO. We need to provide opportunities for these women, especially those in the informal sector, by reducing barriers and ensuring support for their entrepreneurial efforts.

We are optimistic that the new government will facilitate these changes. We also urge media and academic institutions to support this agenda. Despite working women’s high educational attainment, as 65% of women working in the formal economy hold university degrees, many struggle to apply their skills professionally. We need to address this disconnect to ensure that women’s investments in education lead to meaningful career opportunities.

Q: To which industries do female entrepreneurs mostly gravitate, and how does AMMJE tailor its support to address the unique challenges and opportunities within these sectors?

A: Female entrepreneurs primarily gravitate toward commerce, services, manufacturing, and the agroindustry. These sectors offer flexibility, allowing women to manage their business around family responsibilities. AMMJE supports women in these fields by collaborating with governments and private entities to shift cultural perceptions and promote gender equality. We conduct awareness and educational campaigns to challenge traditional gender roles and help women balance their personal and professional lives.

Our goal is to create an equitable environment for all women entrepreneurs in Mexico. Collective efforts involving government, academia, media, and associations are necessary to drive significant change and support women in their entrepreneurial endeavors.

Q: What are AMMJE’s goals and plans to continue supporting and empowering women entrepreneurs in Mexico?

A: AMMJE aims to advocate for public policies that promote gender equality in financing, leadership roles, and tailored support programs for women entrepreneurs. We seek to leverage diverse teams, as they enhance decision-making and productivity. We emphasize the need for more women in decision-making positions and advocate for a shift from time-based to results-oriented work environments. This would support women’s success and productivity by offering greater flexibility.

Our future efforts include increasing male participation in women-focused events to foster broader support. We want to highlight that women are well-prepared and ready to take on leadership roles, contributing to lower staff turnover rates and increased profitability. Our goal is to drive systemic changes that recognize the value of women’s contributions in business.