Business leaders call for enhancing women’s economic participation

Women business leaders called for enhancing the participation of women in business despite the challenges of entrepreneurship in Ethiopia.

Lack of land, bureaucracies across agencies, and views of section of the society towards women jobs creation have long been impediments for women’s entrepreneurship.

Women leaders of businesses have presented their challenges in the process of establishing start ups on Friday during a consultation with women business owners, hosted by the Addis Abeba Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations (AACCSA), which focused on “Challenges of Creating Jobs by Women Owned Businesses”.

Eleni Daniel is among women business owners who shared experience to officials who took part the meeting represented various agencies.

“I have been passed through various ups and downs when I first started my entrepreneurship effort,” Eleni, Owner and General Manager of Real Plastic and Mela Event Organizer, said.

She recalled that recycling plastic has a great advantage to protect the environment.

Sabrina Origino, on the other hand, is a Founder of Joyful Life Ethiopia, non-profit organization that works with children from age 4-15 which are economically and physically deprived of their childhood.

Joyful work to produce educated, self-disciplined and fruitful children who will grow up to be the leaders of tomorrow. Currently, the association is working to include more children with different types of disability.

Sabrina says women have an untapped potential to change the socio-economic problems in the country.

AACCSA has been partnering with various organizations to create economically strong women.

Mesenbet Shenkutie, President of AACCSA said, “The Association has been providing trainings in agro-processing field by the support received from GIZ.”

“If we fail to support women to solve economic challenges, envisioning financial and political equality is a mere wish.”

Misikir Solomon, Division Head of Women Financial Advisor at Enat Bank recommends boosting women’s savings to ensure their financial power.