This document illustrates how the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in starting and retaining a business are likely to increase in the wake of COVID-19. Among these challenges are less access than male entrepreneurs to information and communications technology, financial services and assets, legal rights, business management skills and networking opportunities. Recovery responses to COVID-19, therefore, should include a gender lens when supporting small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), as well as the integration of gender-responsive procurement policies to increase the numbers of female suppliers in value chains.