We all know amazing women with incredible ideas, right? But how often do we see them getting the funding they deserve? It’s a question that’s been on my mind a lot: Why are women less likely to apply for funding, even when they’ve got brilliant plans and a track record to back them up?
Is it a confidence thing?
Do we sometimes hold ourselves back?
Is it that we don’t always know where to look for opportunities?
Or is it something deeper, something more systemic?
Honestly, it’s probably a mix.
We’re often raised to be less assertive, to downplay our achievements. I know, even with my Accounting background, I didn’t really focus on making money early on. As an African millennial woman, I kind of assumed my financial role was to support others. I think a lot of us were conditioned that way.
And let’s be real, sometimes the networks where funding is discussed are pretty closed off. Plus, there can be biases – even unconscious ones – that affect how women’s proposals are seen. And the fact that women still carry a bigger load with unpaid care work? That doesn’t help either.
We need to change this. We need to activate women to own their ideas, get the resources they need, and really shine.
That’s why I’m currently working on REAFrica.org.
REAFrica.org is all about giving African women freedom of money, mind and skills.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. What is your experience? Let’s chat in the comments!