Fall 2008 – Esfahan and Chahar Mahale Bakhtiyari

In pursuit of organizing the association’s next seasonal seminar, a three day trip to provinces of Esfahan and Chahar Mahale Bakhtiyari was organized for the month of November.
On the first day of the trip, the seminar took place in Esfahan. The first event was an educational workshop with the partnership of Natco Company in the University of Khorasgan. In this workshop, Mrs. Davari, the CEO of Natco Company, welcomed the participants and gave a brief explanation about the workshop. Afterward, Mrs. Shirin Parsi, a member of the association, introduced the association and explained its formation, goals and activities to the participants.
After that, the participants were invited to the round table on “Ways for the Development of Women Entrepreneurship in Iran,” and to share their business stories and their experiences in entrepreneurship. In this section, Mrs. Fallah from Karaj, Mrs. Fairouzi from Rasht, and Mrs., Zamani from Esfahan respectively in the fields of industrial animal husbandry, industry, and business management presented their works. In these presentations, the presenters used videos and PowerPoint to showcase their activities, and to explain the manner to enter the above mentioned domains. More importantly, the presenters drew the attention to the challenges and obstacles they faced and how they countered those challenges. Lastly, they noted that the authorities must pay attention to the challenges facing entrepreneurs, especially women entrepreneurs.
Next, the participants visited the research center of science and technology in University of Esfahan. After hearing the report on the research capabilities and the activities of this center, we visited several divisions such as: ecology and plant technology, school of Goleh Yas, and Behin Azman Sepahan Institute.
In the afternoon, the meeting of the Consultative Council of women Entrepreneurs took place with the attendance of Mr. Safavi, a member of the board of directors of Esfahan’s Chamber of Commerce, as well as women entrepreneurs of the Esfahan. In this meeting, Mr. Safavi talked about the state of the chamber and women’s condition, and advised the council on the qualitative and quantitative development of economically active women. However, Mr. Safavi’s last comment faced a severe reaction from the women entrepreneurs, whom by introducing their works and achievements demonstrated the lack of information and the underestimation of women entrepreneurs’ achievements by the authorities. At the end, the participants requested to inform the future guests of the achievements, developments and abilities of the participants.
The next guest speaker was Mrs. Zahra Akhavan, the appointed director of Women Commission of Esfahan’s Chamber of Commerce (who is also the advisor and the chief of staff of the board of CEOs fir Industry and Mine Company of Ahyaye Sepehan). After introducing herself, she expressed her pleasure that Esfahan’s Chamber of Commerce has hosted the AWE’s seminar for the first time. She furthered expressed her hope that by informing and educating the youth this movement will be more effective and conducive in the future. Moreover, Mrs. Akhavan recognized the responsibility of women Commission for laying the foundation for women’s business activities and said; “From the targeted population, approximately 185 members have been recognized as active or partially active.” Afterward all the participants, including the members of the association as well as Esfahan’s women entrepreneurs, introduced themselves, their work and shared their views, suggestion and criticism regarding entrepreneurship and the challenging facing entrepreneurs.
In addition, in this meeting the Association of Female Entrepreneurs and the Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship Development were introduced to the participants. These two institutions aim at macro studies, managing large entrepreneurship, and the establishment of national database for entrepreneurship and investment. There is also news about the establishment of cooperative entrepreneurship company.
Following the series of speakers, Mrs. Saber, the director of the board of executive of the association, again emphasized on the importance of effective public education about women entrepreneurship. She stated; “the issues that were expressed by Mr. Safavi, although part of reality, demonstrates the lack of effective exchange of information. In order to correct these false views and provide a better understanding of women entrepreneurs’ conditions, there is a need for better connection between entrepreneurs and related authorities and the introduction of role models and successful women entrepreneurs to these officials. This can solve one of the apprehensions of the associations, which emphasizes on networking and expanding the existing network of female entrepreneurs across the country.”
Another issue that was discussed in this seminar was firstly the challenges facing women entrepreneurs compared to men and secondly, the challenges facing women entrepreneurs in Esfahan compared to challenges facing women entrepreneurs in other provinces. At the end it was concluded that women entrepreneurs in Esfahan face more challenges and obstacles compared to their counterparts in other provinces. In response, the members suggested effective mechanisms such as public education and cultural programming to change the perspective of the societies and to increase their expectation about women’s capabilities and abilities.
Province of Chahar Mahale Bakhtiyari

The trip to the city of Shahre Kurd was planned for Thursday, November 29th. The transportation was arranged by University of Shahre Kurd and participants were picked up from University of Isfahan. Upon arriving in Shahre Kurd, the participants were taken to the workshop on “Ways for the Development of Women Entrepreneurship in Iran.”
After welcoming the participants and explaining the seminar events, Dr. Tehrani, the head of University of Shahre kurd’s Center of Entrepreneurship, explained the activities of this center. He said, “The University’s Center of Entrepreneurship was established in 2004 and has been active in compiling scientific sources such as books and educational CDs, starting specialized library and a website, setting up courses and educational workshops, cooperating with relate centers, establishing the Center of Development, and lastly, participating in entrepreneurship seminars.” Mr. Tehrani added that petition for the approval of a 2 credit entrepreneurship course as the latest activity of this center. He further expressed his hopes that “with cooperation with the Association of Women Entrepreneurs, this center can be more successful in attracting female students.” Following this, Mrs. Mohtashamipour, the operating director of the association briefly talked about the association, its goals, responsibilities and activities. She recognized the association’s seasonal trips, including its seminars and workshops, as one of the effective activities of the association that occurs with the attendance of many female students and graduates. Mrs. Mohtashamipour added that, this seasonal trips help to expand the network of female entrepreneurs across the country and she further expressed her hopes that with effective expansion of this network we will witness the increase in the capabilities of women and their increased effect on the development of women entrepreneurship. At the end of her note, Mrs. Mohtashamipour asked Mrs. Saberi, the director of the board of executives, to present her article, “Ways for the Development of
Women Entrepreneurship in Iran.” This article discussed worldwide experiences in creating entrepreneurship opportunities, entrepreneurship capabilities, adapting supportive fiscal and credit policies, and creating domestic, regional and global networks. In addition, it discussed women’s ownership of registered business as 1/3 to ¼ as well as
the average rate of women entrepreneurship in the work to the total population as 72.7 percent. Furthermore, this article provided a picture of economically active women and their status. At the end, this article touched upon the reasons for the success of women, which was received enthusiastically by the participants. After presenting the article, Mrs. Fallahi, Vaziri, Parsi, and Mrs, Ghorbani explained their activities and touched upon the challenges they faced. Next, the participants were asked to comment and ask questions about the presented issues. Next, the members of the association firstly gave a brief introduction of their businesses and then provided council in their specialized domain to the students present in the workshop.
The next event was a meeting with Mrs. Sadeghi who is an entrepreneur in the city of Shahre Kurd. After her husband’s death, Mrs. Sadeghi used the agricultural land to plant saffron and she managed a clothing store during non-cultivative seasons. The visit of Mrs. Sadeghi’s farm was the last event before lunch. After lunch, the members of the association gathered in the office of Shahreh Kurd’s parliamentary representative to meet with other entrepreneurs. In this meeting, Mr. Torabi, the parliament representative , after welcoming and wishing “God speed” to all entrepreneurs, expressed his hopes that the seminar has increased the motivation and will of the women entrepreneurs in this province. After that, the attendees introduce themselves and discussed their issues and challenges with Mr. Torabi.
The members of the association asked the parliament representative to pay more attention to women’s issue. Considering his familiarity with women entrepreneurs and capabilities, they asked Mr. Torabi to prevent passing proposals and bills that will go against and discriminate women’s rights. They also remind the representative to pay more attention to issues concerning entrepreneurship in the parliament.
After this meeting, the participants returned to Esfahan. On the way, the participants shared their criticisms and their suggestion about the seminar as well its weaknesses and strengths.