COMESA empowers women

COMESA director for gender and social services, Beatrice Hamusonde

WOMEN in Zimbabwe stands to benefit from the 50 Million Women Speak Digital Networking Platform a women empowerment project funded by the African Development Bank. 

The platform will be accessed through electronic gadgets such as mobile phones, iPads, and laptops

Speaking at a breakfast meeting today, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) director for gender and social services, Beatrice Hamusonde said Women entrepreneurs in Zimbabwe and the region will use the platform to access information and linkages to business services, training and market opportunities.

“The Platform is unique and will build a community of existing and potential women entrepreneurs who will act as peers, mentors and advisors to each other,” she said.

“This social network will allow women to share lessons, success stories as well as conduct business online. Furthermore, it will provide interface between women and financial service providers thus promoting easy access to financial services,” Hamusonde said.

COMESA is a free trade area with nineteen member states stretching from Libya to Swaziland. COMESA was formed in December 1994, replacing a Preferential Trade Area which had existed since 1981.

She said platform will enable women entrepreneurs to network with one another and with mentors to support the overall goal of enhanced financial inclusion of women, leading ultimately to increased economic activity in the region.

“All the information one needs when starting or aiming to grow their business will be available on this platform,”

The 50 Million Women Speak is a digital platform, built for Africa, which will primarily be accessed through mobile devices to enable African women to start, grow, and scale their business.

It is a unique proposition to build a community of women entrepreneurs who will act as peers, mentors, advisors and financier to each other.

This social network will allow women to learn from each other and be able to share lessons, as well as conduct business. It will also enable them to access financial services and create business opportunities on-line.

The platform presents major innovation opportunities which contributes to women empowerment with special focus on African Women start-ups, new and established business operators to develop new business models, products and services.