A Conceptual Framework for Rural Women Social Entrepreneurs Looking at the intersection between gender and rural social enterprise

Social enterprises create social, environmental, or cultural value through profitable trade. They address social needs, strengthen communities, improve people’s life chances or protect the environment (Scottish Government, 2016). They are prevalent in rural areas to address critical social needs as well as with entrepreneurs and community groups that wish to attract sustainable tourism or engage in socially and environmentally responsible business initiatives. Women, and therefore rural women, are at the forefront of social enterprise with 65% of women in leadership positions (Social Value Lab, 2019). However, there appears to be little support for rural women social entrepreneurs. A gap seems to exist in both research and policy between gender and social entrepreneurship. While countries such as Canada and Scotland have taken strides to support gender equality, women in business and the burgeoning social enterprise sector, the seemingly apparent lack of cohesion is present. This presentation will introduce a conceptual framework to intersect these areas through a rural lens. The work will be geographically situated in the Scottish Highlands and Islands