Giving Compass' Take:

• Two Syracuse University experts reveal that female veterans face greater financial difficulties following their service than their male counterparts, and require focused efforts to improve their employment and entrepreneurship outcomes. 

• How can philanthropy help female veterans succeed professionally? Could government programs better prepare servicemembers for civilian life?

• Find out why so many veterans commit suicide, in spite of efforts to get them help.

Results indicate that transition and post-service life are more challenging for female veteran respondents, particularly in regards to finances.

  • 67% of female veteran respondents characterized their financial transition as difficult or very difficult, compared with 47% of male veteran respondents.
  • 37% of female veteran respondents selected “loss of income” as a key transition challenge, compared with 23% of male veteran respondents.
  • There was a statistically significant difference in the time it took male and female veteran respondents to find employment after their transition, with female veteran respondents reporting longer periods of time.”

A significant amount of research has shown the proportion of women who start businesses to be lower than that of men. In fact, women are currently underrepresented in entrepreneurship in countries around the world. The existence of this gender gap has been attributed to family dynamics and a lack of resources and education for women.

According to professor Maria Minniti, Bantle Chair in Entrepreneurship and Public Policy at Syracuse University’s Martin J. Whitman School of Management, in richer countries, an increasing number of women are entering high tech industries and more technical fields. With this background, they are starting businesses in related industries, but they are also starting businesses in highly creative or service-oriented areas.

Read the full article on female veterans at My Social Good News.