With the theme “ Empowering Women in Entreprunership” Addis Chamber has celebrated the International Women’s Day (March 8) with panel discussion.
Marking the event every year, the International women’s day has attracted successful business leaders, CEO of companies, development experts among others who shared their knowledge and expertise for the panel.
In her remark, Zehara Mohammed , President of Addis Chamber, said that women plays a critical role in the economy of the country but faced countless challenges and she mentioned some of the factors including lack of access to finance for women that hampers women to be active economically.
Although the government provides incentives for different sectors, yet it didn’t fully address and respond to the demand of women in entrepreneurship calling for more policy provisions and incentives to make women more competitive in the sector, said the president.
Addressing the panel,Mrs. Bereket Bekele , Director from Addis Ababa City women and social affairs, highlighted that government took numerous legal and policy measures to support and empower women economically.
However she argued that much remains to be done to attract more women to engage in entreprenuership and expressed the readiness of her organization to work with Addis Chamber to address the concern shared by the panel.
While sharing their thought to the panel moderated by Mrs Thitina Legesse( Managing Director of Warit Mulutila International plc), Gete Wami, (Athlete and business woman), Mrs. Haymanot Tesfaye ( Founder & CEO, Ethel events & communication ), Mrs Solome Dagnachew ( CEO, Baroque interiors and Event plc ) and samrawit Tarekegn (CEO mogzit online technology) shared their vast experience and challenges facing women in entreprenuership.
Despite the various challenges facing women in business, new window of opportunities are emerging for women in business such as the provision of matching fund at larger investment.
However, much attention has to be given to middle level businesses that graduated from small business.
Proceeding to the presentation, participants of the panel have forwarded opinions and questions regarding women and gender equality.
Some of those concerns include among others the need to engage more women in entreprenuership, the need to involve women in business in regional markets, how to access to joint venture for women in business and the need to facilitate working space for middle level investors.
The event is supported by Danish Industry ‘ Strategic Partnership Agreement 2 project .
