Economic Empowerment
Source: IPP Media
The African Women's Entrepreneurship Programme (AWEP) is seeking grounds of creating conducive environment for Tanzania business women to cope with the challenges in global economy. An official from AWEP's organisation said here on Friday that the move aims to promote long-standing trade relations and business activities with the US government.
AWEP president from Zambia Silvia Banda said "they are more than willing to support Tanzania women to acquire market, funds and technology so as to build and strengthen their business."
Banda was speaking in Dar es Salaam at the end of a training programme titled "Women Entrepreneurship Development and Economic Empowerment Project (WEDEE)."
She said the programme provides a networking forum of sharing best practices for business growth and new opportunities, including the use of ICT in the promotion of their business and acquiring markets.
Banda said most East and Central African markets burst with colour, materials and design and yet lack links to trade systems and many products never leave the shelves.
"We believe in the use of ICTs in our businesses, AWEP will enable Tanzanian women products to thrive in the US market," she said.
For her part, AWEP Tanzania Flotea Massawe chairman said, the training would go a long way to enhance women's economic empowerment that will act as essential driver of prosperity for Africa.
Also, she said the platform seeks to increase women entrepreneurs' participation in the economy, develop co-operation and promote trade through partnership meetings and trade missions as well as develop a capacity-building and transfer of technology and expertise.
"Women can be the rock on which a freer, safer, more prosperous Africa is built. They just need the opportunity," she said.
Twenty-seven 27 AWEP women received certificates of attendance.
ILO Deputy Director Hopolang Phororo expressed appreciation for the depth and practical applicability of the training. "The move is to support job creations and empowerment to women in Tanzania... We guarantee our outstanding support over the project" she said.
AWEP was launched in July 2010 at the United States/sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Co-operation Forum (AGOA Forum).
Organised and supported by several US agencies, under the leadership of the US Department of State, the original AWEP event sponsored by the Office of International Visitors brought 34 African businesswomen from AGOA-eligible countries to the United States for a two-week program in 2010.
It is an outreach, education and engagement initiative that aims to empower African women entrepreneurs to become voices of change in their communities. Throughout sub-Saharan Africa, talented and creative women are leading businesses, creating jobs and seizing economic opportunities.
AWEP seeks to engage women and equip them with the tools and opportunities to accelerate the growth of their businesses, become leaders in their communities and drive further social and economic progress in their communities.