Women’s entrepreneurship in emerging economies is a major programmatic and academic focus area for the Walker Center - with two unique programs currently running in Afghanistan and Jordan.


Women's Entrepreneurship

Curriculum developed by Walker Center faculty is currently being taught to women entrepreneurs through two programs - one in Afghanistan and one in Jordan. Research to track the progress and impact these programs have on the women entrepreneurs participating is being conducted by Walker Center faculty.

In Afghanistan, in partnership with the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Initiative and the American University of Afghanistan, Kabul, women entrepreneurs experience an intensive, six week program in entrepreneurship and small business practices. The women participating range from a home-based knitting business to the development of an orphanage for Afghan children. 

In Jordan, Thunderbird has partnered with the Jordanian Business Development Center focusing on the acceleration of the established businesses, increasing entrepreneurial capacity among youth and women and leadership training for managers and executives of small and medium enterprises. In the Fall of 2009 a group of Jordanian Women Entrepreneurs will arrive at Thunderbird’s Glendale, Arizona campus for an intensive two week entrepreneurship and mentoring program.