Fragile ground and a glass ceiling: how women entrepreneurs defy the odds

Dr Samira Nazar grew up with one key goal – to make it into university.

But when the Taliban seized power in the 1990s, her dreams – along with those of millions of Afghan girls – were shattered.

In the new regime, women were stripped of their right to go to school and work, silenced by the ever-present threat of public retribution: stoning, lashing, amputation and worse.

Under this looming shadow of tyranny, the Nazar family made a heart-rending choice – to flee Kabul and settle in Austria.

“Although we faced various initial hardships, it ultimately provided me with the opportunity to pursue my education,” Nazar says.

“The takeover deepened my determination to persist in my academic journey, as I firmly believe that access to education is a fundamental human right.”

Today, having fought against impossible odds to fulfill her aspirations, her research is empowering women who continue to endure the unimaginable.

History repeating itself

In 2021, Nazar came face-to-face with the ghosts of her past.

While conducting her PhD in Australia, there was a second Taliban takeover.

At the time, she had been remotely interviewing women entrepreneurs in Afghanistan to understand how marginalised groups succeed in adverse contexts.  

But when the devastating news broke, her university ethics committee advised her to suspend the data collection.

“During this period, many research participants reached out for assistance, yet as an international PhD student, I had little direct aid to offer,” Nazar says.

“I shared relevant information and resources for humanitarian support, hoping it would provide some help during such a challenging time.”

Nazar’s research exposes the inhumane barriers Afghan women grapple with to start and sustain businesses in a society that desperately tries to silence them.

“The situation for women has increasingly deteriorated. The return of the Taliban has exacerbated the already significant economic, social, physical and psychological challenges women face,” she says.

“For instance, one of the participants shared a compelling story about her struggle to rent a store for her products. She was unable to secure a lease solely based on her gender unless she had a male family member to sign the contract on her behalf.”

Thriving in the eye of the storm

Contrary to all expectations, fragile regions such as Afghanistan are home to the highest number of women entrepreneurs globally. 

“In environments underpinned by instability and limited economic opportunities, women often turn to entrepreneurship as a means of survival and empowerment,” Nazar says.

“Faced with barriers to traditional employment, starting their own businesses allows them to gain financial independence and support their families.”

“The resourcefulness demonstrated by these entrepreneurs can inspire Australian businesses to think creatively and adapt to adversity in their own ventures”

For Nazar, a breakthrough moment in her research happened when she discovered the ingenious strategies women employ to defy the odds.   

“Many women adopt a work-from-home model to reduce their physical movement, which limits the risk of exposure to dangerous situations.

“They often leverage digital technologies to maintain communication with employees and customers, ensuring continuity in their operations even when physically separated.”

Necessity, as they say, is the mother of invention – and Afghan women are living proof of this.

“‘Camouflaging’ themselves, many women collaborate with male relatives to help them access and operate their ventures in areas where they typically face significant restrictions,” Nazar says.

“By highlighting these entrepreneurial mechanisms, I aim to raise awareness among policymakers, practitioners and researchers about the resilience and resourcefulness of women in these challenging environments.

“I have received feedback from some participants in my research who expressed that their stories being documented and shared has given them a sense of validation and visibility, encouraging them to continue pursuing their entrepreneurial goals.”

A universal glass ceiling

The future of entrepreneurship is female, and Australia has its fair share of trailblazers.

Melanie Perkins – the genius behind Canva – and Janine Allis – CEO and founder of Boost Juice – are some of the women rewriting the playbook.

But even with role models, systemic issues persist. And they are not confined to unstable regions.

“Many of the barriers faced by women entrepreneurs are somewhat universal,” says Nazar.

“Women in fragile contexts often struggle with access to markets and building strong networks, while women entrepreneurs in Western settings experience similar challenges in mobilising crucial resources.

“In Australia, women continue to receive a disproportionately small percentage of venture funding compared to their male counterparts.”

This gap is even more pronounced among marginalised groups: Indigenous women, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those living in rural or remote areas.

“Often, policies aimed at addressing the challenges are developed without input from those directly affected, which can lead to solutions that are misaligned with their needs,” Nazar says.

The lessons drawn from women thriving in fragile contexts are a must-read for businesswomen across the world.

“The resourcefulness demonstrated by these entrepreneurs can inspire Australian businesses to think creatively and adapt to adversity in their own ventures,” Nazar says.

“My advice to women facing gender inequality and bias, even outside of fragile contexts, is to build or join a strong support system. Identifying and mobilising allies – both women and men – can provide crucial backing while navigating these challenges.

“My aim is to continue sparking discussions among academics, policymakers and NGOs on how to empower women in fragile contexts. That’s why I am currently in the process of expanding my research to other fragile states, as well as studying the experiences of diaspora entrepreneurs within Australia and Europe.

“Ultimately, I believe that by sharing the insights from my research, we can advocate for changes in policy and practice that create more equitable opportunities for all women.”