This site uses cookies, as explained in our terms of use. If you consent, please close this message and continue to use this site.
Although various governments have policies that are supportive of women-led Small and Medium Enterprises, much more needs to be done to address structural and other barriers to women’s empowerment. This was among the key findings of a study shared at the International Women Entrepreneurs Summit 2018 that concluded here today. The three-day summit was organised by the South Asian Women Development Forum (SAWDF) sponsored by UKAid and co-sponsored by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Australian Aid, UNCDF, Nepal Tourism Board, ESCAP and Prime Bank.
2 mins Read
In his inaugural address, Rt. Honourable Vice President of Nepal, Nanda Bahadur Pun said that women’s empowerment is key to the economic development of any country. International summits like this help in developing linkages and promote economic empowerment among women entrepreneurs at regional and international level, which will benefit Nepali women entrepreneurs in the long run, he added. He also launched a book: Reflections on Policies for Women Small and Medium Entrepreneurs: Status Challenges and Opportunities in Hindu Kush Himalayas and the SAARC Region, published by SAWDF in partnership with ICIMOD.
Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Gyawali pointed out that women’s entrepreneurship goes beyond poverty reduction and socioeconomic development. Women in business contribute to wider women’s empowerment and gender equality.
Director General of ICIMOD, Dr David Molden emphasized the importance of women owned/managed Small and Medium Enterprises for promoting inclusive development and greater equality in the HKH region. He reiterated ICIMOD’s commitment to promoting women’s empowerment in the HKH and stated that the exploratory study carried out by SAWDF and ICIMOD was to examine how existing SME policies in the various countries enable or restrain women entrepreneurs from engaging with and growing profitably in the market.
The various sessions provided a platform for a wide range of stakeholders – government officials, policy makers and entrepreneurs – to discuss policies measures and practices in sustainable tourism and gender inclusive trade and industrialization, as well as successful models for women entrepreneurial development. Several speakers pointed out that although there are good policies in place, lack of coordination between departments and poor implementation remain major hurdles for women entrepreneurs. It was also pointed out that entrepreneurship is a journey and entrepreneurs must come together as partners in up-scaling and out-scaling, not merely as competitors.
In his concluding remarks, H. E. SAARC Secretary General, Amjad Hussain B. Sial committed SAARC support for women, in conformity with its principle objective of promoting welfare of the peoples in South Asia and improving their quality of life through accelerated economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region.
Ms. Pramila Acharya Rijal, SAWDF President highlighted the need for women friendly policies to encourage women to pursue entrepreneurship. She also urged the participants to look into successful enterprise models which can be replicated across South Asia.
The summit on the theme ‘Equality begins with Economic Empowerment’ brought together international experts and delegates from over 27 countries, including delegates from the UK, USA, The People’s Republic of China, SAARC, ASEAN, EU, Africa, and Arab countries, with the aim of promoting business partnership among Nepalese and international women entrepreneurs. The summit concluded with the signing of MoU on partnership and collaboration.
Share
Stay up to date on what’s happening around the HKH with our most recent publications and find out how you can help by subscribing to our mailing list.
Related contents
Policy workshop sets ground for a regional assessment of adaptation responses for the Hindu Kush Himalaya [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="560"]
Kathmandu - The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and the Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet (GASP) are ...
A week-long training and knowledge sharing workshop for young people from 17 Asian countries opened today in Kathmandu, helping to ...
[caption id="attachment_7229" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Panelists at the two-day regional 'Knowledge Forum on Climate ...
Dr Eklabya Sharma, who worked at leading centre for Hindu Kush Himalaya region for twenty years, has been awarded the ...
Global “ice emergency” is locking in sea level rise that will put huge areas of Dhaka, Karachi, Shanghai, Mumbai ...
Research provides new insight on mountain glacier–derived water resource systems, impacting up to 1.9 billion people globally December 9, 2019 — ...
Read in english 随着高温热浪袭击了孟加拉、中国、印度、缅甸和巴基斯坦,本月亚洲气温记录被刷新。国际山地发展中心(ICIMOD)的科学家们敦促全球政府和企业加快减排速度,发展机构来投入更多的气候资金,以努力加快脚步来帮助该地区适应气候变化。 周一(4 月 17 日)孟加拉首都达卡的气温达到41 摄氏度,印度普拉亚格拉吉达到 45 摄氏度,缅甸葛礼瓦达到 44 摄氏度。中国长沙、福州创当地最早入夏记录,浙江的几个城市也刷新了全省4月最高气温记录。 4 月 ...