Improving Gender Equality with Social Entrepreneurship and Circular Economy: A Mexican Case

Abstract

The existing gender inequalities in personal development and economic opportunities are more evident by the day, hence bringing the attention of different entities (e.g., governments, international organisations, academics, entrepreneurs, civil society, etc.) to act. The United Nations has set clear targets to close the gender gap, referred as Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG5). Considering this situation, innovative entrepreneurship forms, modern economic theories and the integration of gender views into product development can contribute to reducing the gender gap. Thus, this research aims to understand how social entrepreneurship (SE) can contribute to achieving gender equality (GE) whilst applying circular economy (CE) principles. Furthermore, it focuses on the enabling conditions for SE activities that apply CE principles during the product conceptualisation with effects on gender equality (GE). This research examined three relationships: (i) SE nexus GE, (ii) CE and GE connection and (iii) SE and CE nexus during the product conceptualisation stage. The research objective was approached through a literature review of academic and grey documentation, followed by revisiting a case study priory developed by the principal author in Mexico. The case study was assessed with a diagnostic tool (women and social enterprises) developed by Acumen, a non-profit impact investment fund. The analysis identified that leadership, value capture and proposition, and building relationships outside the internal business activities contribute to closing the gender gap whilst developing new circular-social businesses. Due to the limitations of this study, further research is recommended to verify their particular effects on reducing the gender gap.