Government supports economic empowerment this Women's Month
Since the dawn of democracy in South Africa in 1994, the month of August has been dedicated to celebrating the empowerment of women.
Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with disabilities, Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga officially launched Women's Month by hosting the Women Trade Intervention Dialogue
Themed: Building resilient economies for all, the launch saw informal women entrepreneurs from around South Africa gather to see how they could grow their businesses.
Speaking at the launch Chikunga said: 'We are here with them [entrepreneurs] building resilient economies for all focusing on women. We cannot speak of resilient economies if women are not able to access funding, if women are not able to access market, when women face barriers when they start their small businesses.
'We are happy to start this [initiative] with women entrepreneurs, who are already in business from all parts of South Africa. Humbling me is the number of women making it in business areas with existing difficulties, ' she added.
If you are an informal trader or small business owner you should be aware of the following programmes launched this year with the intention of helping women entrepreneurs. Visa's 'She's Next' Programme, an initiative of ABSA Bank
Standard Bank's Business and Commercial Division's -Women in Business Award
The Woman Rise Programme sponsored by Nedbank
Women in Technology and Innovation Programme by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation
Women's Economic Empowerment Programme by SADC states
G20 Empowerment of Women Working Group by G20 South Africa
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