Historically, corporate boards in many countries have been comprised mainly of men.  A number of European market regulators are considering imposing quotas of women on the boards of publicly traded companies as a requirement in the new Code of Corporate Governance, and this is likely to compel business to consider gender diversity of corporate boards.

A report published by the Institute of Employment Studies notes that, “Despite long-standing anti-discrimination legislation in the US, UK and across Europe, women still remain under-represented in many occupations, most noticeably in high-level posts.  This phenomenon is seen at its most extreme when the composition of company boards is considered.  In the USA, woman constitute on average 14.7 per cent of board members on Fortune 500 companies; in the UK, women hold 11 per cent of FTSE 100 directorships, according to the 2008 Sex and Power report published by the UK Equality and Human Rights Commission.”

Read the rest of the article on gender diversification in Pakistani Corporate Boards.

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Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) has been active in facilitating and promoting women entrepreneurs since last many years. TDAP has been instrumental in providing impetus to women development in exports by including women development programmes in its seven point strategy.

In continuation of this strategy,Women Exporters Network (WEXNET) is designed as an exclusive platform for women entrepreneurs from all parts of the country to put on display numerous products that they manufacture or market in a thematically classified environment. The idea is to encourage women of the country to come forward and play their due role in the economic development and uplift of the country.

WEXNET 2010, at Lahore had all the necessary ingredients of a successful international level exposition and offered everything which a woman entrepreneur may seek from an interactive platform of the highest profile to extract maximum mileage from the development of their businesses.

Continue reading ‘WEXNET 2010 at the Expo Center, Lahore’ »

We are pleased to inform you that after successful events in Syria, Bangladesh, South Korea, U.K and Italy, the Consortium of Women Entrepreneurs of India (CWEI) is once again leading the delegation of women entrepreneurs to the 7th Dosti-Women Entrepreneur Trade Expo 2010 from August 24th to 29th, 2010 at Dhaka, Bangladesh. Various products prepared by Women Entrepreneurs will be on display during the exhibition. The main features of the event are:

1. To provide a wide variety of products manufactured by women entrepreneurs from various countries in the Asian region under one roof for the convenience of Eid shoppers.
2. To promote networking amongst the participating women entrepreneurs from other Asian countries.

Registration Information

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There has arisen a new class - the women entrepreneurs, who have accepted the challenges of life and have emerged as leaders in the socio-economic development - earning for themselves and for their families or contributing towards the socio-political upliftment of women. Not only have their greater participation in remunerative work improved their living conditions and provided bargaining positions in the households and wider community, but they are also creating opportunities for the general womenfolk leading to their economic progress and paving the way for a dignified survival through sustainable development.

YEGAP’s 5th edition on Women and Entrepreneurship  includes the articles:

• “Dream Beyond What Is Possible” by Mukta Nandini Jain, Chairman
  of the Women Entrepreneurs Council of Asia Pacific
• “Diamond Memories” by Noemi Lirag Saludo, Past President of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry
• And more…

Continue reading ‘YEGAP Special Issue on Women and Entrepreneurship’ »

This year Central and North Punjab Woman Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CNPWCCI) accoladed women entrepreneurs with Laurels of Honour 2009 for recognition of women extraordinaire  who have achieved remarkable accomplishments in their respective fields. This was the first award ceremony and will go a long way to acknowledge women who have made outstanding achievements in various walks of life, who are role models, who demonstrate initiative and pioneering spirit, who have contributed to the economic advancement of women and the quality of women’s lives in Pakistan.

More than 50 women were honoured at the ceremony from sectors such as banking, SMEs, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, IT, media, politics, education, beauty, community development, judiciary, art, entertainment, sports, gems and jewelry, construction and housing, services such as health care, hospitals, environment and manufacturing.

Continue reading ‘Laurels of Honour 2009’ »

The Development Finance Support Unit, SBPBSC-Lahore arranged a workshop on the financing issues of Women Entrepreneurs on 9th March, 2010 at SBPBSC Lahore. The purpose of arranging this workshop was to discuss the finance related issues of women entrepreneurs with the senior representatives of banks extending SME finance in the Lahore region. In this workshop, the senior officials from the banking sector, chambers of commerce & industry and other relevant institutions participated and shared their views and experiences.

The unique feature of this workshop was that the women entrepreneurs who have actually faced difficulties in obtaining loans from banks shared their problems particularly with the banks whereas the senior bankers discussed their viewpoint in assessing SMEs for a loan and gave clarification on certain issues. The workshop was conducted in the form of the following presentations delivered by various stakeholders to discuss their points of view on the financial problems of women entrepreneurs/SMEs, the impact of finance on their earnings and policy recommendations.  

Continue reading ‘Workshop on Financing Issues of Women Entrepreneurs’ »

The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) invites young people to share their ideas on how to create opportunities for youth to strengthen democracy and the private sector in their countries. Students and young professionals aged 18-30 are welcome to participate by writing an essay on one of the three topics: Democracy that delivers, Entrepreneurship and society, or Women and participation. Winning articles will be published by CIPE and receive a $1,000 honorarium.

Please visit the 2010 International Youth Essay Contest website at www.cipe.org/essay for further information and details about the contest.

To share an item with the Community of Women Entrepreneurs send an email to: partners@cipe.org

SMEs owned by women create the bulk of formal employment in most economies around the world. Women’s business associations can provide support for women-owned SMEs, and thereby assume the role of influential community change-makers and stakeholders. However, business leaders in developing countries, in particular women business leaders, face challenges that entrepreneurs in developed countries may never encounter. These barriers fall into two key categories: instability and infrastructure.

Closely tied to cultural, social, economic, and political country conditions, instability involves the struggles of women dealing with patriarchal restraints, corruption, and sometimes organized crime and war. Infrastructure barriers deal with weak or lacking institutions that inhibit women’s ability to conduct business. These include: property rights, recognition of women’s rights as human rights, accounting, taxation, and banking rules, and civil law. Overcoming the challenges posed by instability and infrastructure calls for an engagement of women’s NGOs and business associations as agents of change, as they advocate, support, and amplify necessary reforms

Read the full article: Empowering Women through Non-governmental Organizations and Women’s Business Associations.

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As we celebrate International Women’s Day, I am thinking of one of our earlier advocates for women’s rights here in the U.S. Susan B. Anthony was a suffragette in the days when that word carried a lot of opprobrium, but she stood fast for her principles and improved life for us all. Today is a different world and there is a lot more information and support available for women seeking to make a difference.

Where can women in your country access such information and support? Is there data available? Who is at the vanguard of representing women’s political enfranchisement and economic empowerment?

I’m interested in knowing more about the resources out there!

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Apart from my own art gallery business, I have been very much a woman entrepreneur. Currently I am Consultant for Trade Development Authority of Pakistan. From Feb. 26th to 28th, 2010, a huge expo is happening with a handicraft hall, a women entrepreneur hall, a textile and apparel hall and all other sectors such as agro food, seafood, sports good, pharmaceuticals, surgical instruments, gems & jewellery, minerals, auto parts, engineering goods, herbals etc. The fashion shows are being held daily. Those who are interested to participate as buyers for outsourcing or as exhibitors kindly send me names and email also. 600 foreign buyers are visiting from all over the world. Our website is www.tdap.gov.pk. They can get all the info and they should download this form and give my reference and also let me know. My personal TDAP email address is mehreen.ilahi@tdap.gov.pk. I would like women entrepreneurs from different countries to visit, network and do business.

Mehreen Ilahi
Consultant (Fashion & Media)
Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP)

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