UN ESCAP LAUNCHES CWE PROJECT TO EMPOWER WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN ASIA-PACIFIC
Women Forum Group (Photo: Supplied)
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for the Asia Pacific (UN ESCAP) has identified persistent challenges hindering the economic potential of women entrepreneurs in the region. Despite a noticeable rise in women-owned businesses, barriers such as limited market access, financial resources, information gaps, caregiving responsibilities, and discriminatory regulations continue to impede progress.
In response, UN ESCAP has unveiled the Catalyzing Women's Entrepreneurship (CWE) project. This initiative aims to economically empower women and promote gender equality across Asia and the Pacific. UN Resident Themba Kalua underscored the significance of women's economic empowerment, highlighting entrepreneurship as a crucial avenue for poverty alleviation, empowerment, and substantial contributions to economic growth.
This message resonated during the Women’s Economic Empowerment and Entrepreneurship in the Pacific event on March 15th, 2024, in Samoa. The event showcased success stories like Lisa Kamu, the esteemed owner of Indoors and Head to Toes in Samoa, who has been a key figure in the business realm for over three decades.
Lisa initially faced challenges in securing funding and accessing digital marketing guidance. However, through ICT training, she acquired valuable digital skills, notably photography, significantly enhancing her product promotion efforts. Lisa stressed the importance of establishing a strong brand identity and leveraging digital marketing channels, particularly social media, to propel her business growth. Digital marketing emerged as a game-changer, enabling her to reach both local and international customers and demonstrating resilience and adaptability during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event facilitated meaningful dialogue among government representatives, women entrepreneurs, women entrepreneurs associations, UN agencies, CROP agencies, private sector entities, and academic institutions. Together, they reaffirmed their commitment to advancing women's entrepreneurship and fostering economic empowerment throughout the region.