Fostering Grassroots Women's Entrepreneurial Spirit
Published: December, 16, 2024
Fostering Grassroots Women's Entrepreneurial Spirit
Published: December, 16, 2024
Women WIN Micro Business Training, Makoko, Lagos, Nigeria
One in ten women globally live in extreme poverty, a situation worsened by cultural norms, conflicts, and climate change. In Africa, rural women face immense economic challenges, representing over 60% of the continent’s impoverished population. This disparity arises from systemic inequalities such as limited access to education and healthcare, restricted land ownership, and exclusion from financial systems. Empowering women, particularly in underserved communities, is crucial for breaking this cycle of poverty and this can be through programs that prioritize access to education, support entrepreneurship, and enable financial inclusion in a bid to transform families, economies, and societies, The pertinent question is, how can we scale these efforts to ensure women's full potential drives sustainable development in every community?
Women in rural communities often have limited access to education, credit, land, and other resources that could help them thrive. Their potential is stifled with more social protection and labor rights. However, we can pave the way for long-term change by focusing on empowerment, mainly through access to education, financial resources, and support networks.
African women are leading the entrepreneurial landscape, often despite significant socio-economic challenges. Around 58% of African women are engaged in entrepreneurial activity—the highest rate globally. Many of these women work in informal sectors and small-scale enterprises, playing a huge role in supporting their families and local economies.
The Woven Impact Network's Women WIN program focuses on equipping grassroots women with the tools they need to succeed. Through training them in business management, financial literacy, and leadership, these women are empowered to earn a living, thrive, and make a lasting impact on their families and communities. The goal is to create a self-sustaining system where women have the resources, skills, and support to succeed. This systematic approach fosters economic, social, and political change, helping women become agents of transformation in their communities.
The program seeks to assist women in scaling their businesses, improving their economic security, and offering them vital resources such as seed funds, mentorship, and market access. The success of initiatives such as this is hinged on strong collaborations with government entities, the private sector, and other stakeholders—especially those with lived experiences. By working together, we can foster an environment where women enjoy equal access to resources and opportunities, ultimately breaking the cycle of poverty and empowering women to take control of their futures.
Empowering women is not just a moral imperative but an essential catalyst for sustainable development. When women are empowered, entire communities flourish. As recognized by the SDGs, which are indivisible and interconnected, women's empowerment drives progress across all areas—whether it is improving nutrition, boosting education, or enhancing economic productivity. Investing in women today ensures a brighter, more prosperous future for all.