Women’s Entrepreneurship Day

Bengaluru, November 2014 – Women’s Entrepreneurship Day is being celebrated at the United Nations in New York City on November 19th, 2014. This will be the world’s largest celebration of women innovators and job creators who launch startups that bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and expand human welfare in 144 countries. The Government of Karnataka joins this celebration by bringing together empowered women of the state on this momentous day. The total number of women on the planet since 2013 is almost 3.6 Billion! Yet the World Economic Forum reports that no nation has yet to achieve gender equality – depending on where they live, women only have access to 58-70% of the economic, educational, health and political resources and opportunities available to men .

Government of Karnataka has taken the lead today to CELEBRATE, SUPPORT AND EMPOWER WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS, to acknowledge and salute the unwavering positives that women entrepreneurs bring to the global economy as well as empower and support future generations

A study was conducted under the MSME Umbrella programme by GIZ and, Government of India on the status of Women entrepreneurship in Karnataka. eMERG (Engineering Manufacturer Entrepreneurs Research Group) was the key partner organization and helped organize Round Tables in the districts of Karnataka for women entrepreneurs. Athena Infonomics was the research partner and in collaboration with We Connect International and Quantum Leaps. NSIC & SIDBI supported the same.The study has been compiled into a book which is released today during the event spearheaded by the DIC , Government of Karnataka. Called “Strengthening Her Enterprise” , the book has details of the number of Women Entrepreneurs in the districts of Karnataka, their stumbling blocks and roadmap for growth.

About 300 women participants proficient in various areas of industry congregated for a convention today to mark the occasion of ‘International woman’s ntrepreneurship’ day. The event was presided over by Smt.K Ratna Prabha Additional Chief secretary to Government, Commerce and Industries department, who brought to light various policies being put into place to create a healthy eco- system for women business leaders. Participants were engaged in sessions of dialogue through which current scenarios were discussed and measures to nurture, and encourage industries of all sizes were established. Noteworthy was the launch of a report by eMERG for the state highlighting the current situation of the same. Officials from NSIC & SIDBI shared their schemes that support development of women owned enterprises. The panel discussion focused on strategies for implementation of policy and the areas of focusThe U.N. initiative to recognize and foster growth among women has been echoed by the State of Karnataka with talks of sensitization of banks, skill development, industrial parks with crèche facilities, transport, etcto be given importance. Guest of honor and Commissioner for Industries & Commerce, GoK Shri Gaurav Gupta also shared their observations.

On this momentous day, the Government of Karnataka and the associations for Women who have supported today’s event invited suggestions from the women entrepreneurs to implement strategies for their growth thereby enabling them to be empowered and to empower other women. This is the way forward to support women entrepreneurs, their families and community . This will make our state and the country a better place for women entrepreneurs.

It was decided that a core group would meet once in 2 months to work on strategies for implementation and a roadmap for women entrepreneurs. CCI Newswire