The FINANCIAL -- Geneva, 10 October 2011 – Ten women who have excelled in developing
innovative business ideas and in providing jobs and increasing income in
their communities have been selected for the Empretec Women in Business
Award –
an UNCTAD training and motivational programme that is intended to encourage entrepreneurship in developing countries. The winners will be announced during the UNCTAD XIII quadrennial conference in Doha, Qatar, in April 2012.
The award has made a real impact on the lives of past recipients, increasing their access to education and resources as well as their motivation to continue growing their enterprises.
The finalists for this year’s award are women who have harnessed the power of ICTs to establish their businesses – in Brazil, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Jordan, Nigeria, Panama, Uganda, Viet Nam and Zimbabwe.
This special recognition by Empretec has helped women become role models in their communities. They are seen as successful micro-entrepreneurs working to improve the quality of life of the people around them by creating jobs that have a positive impact on the environment, in ICT services and in other high-value aggregate sectors.
It is estimated that between a third and a quarter of all enterprises worldwide are run by women. There are significant differences in women’s and men’s motivation to become entrepreneurs, and public policies should address women’s needs – for example, having flexible work hours, and receiving training in ICT. In the case of women in developing countries in particular, their own enterprises are often an important if not the main source of income.
UNCTAD sees it as particularly important to acknowledge and recognize the great achievements of women entrepreneurs.
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