About MOWEA

Written by MOWEA Administrator | 28 April 2012

WED_Experts


The International Labour Organization (ILO) has been involved in promoting and assisting entrepreneurs to access productive work for over two decades. The Month of the Woman Entrepreneur in Africa (MOWEA), part of the Women's Entrepreneurship Development and Gender Equality (WEDGE) programme, is part of this cause.

 

ILO-WEDGE aims to give women entrepreneurs, including those with disabilities, visibility and voice so that they can be heard among other players in the small and medium enterprise sector. The MOWE celebration is one such activity used to achieve this aim. The celebrations involve holding a series of national events such as media campaigns, workshops, exhibitions and promotional activities with the aim of:

 

  • Promoting the role of women's entrepreneurship development (WED). in national development by recognizing the potential and achievements of women entrepreneurs, including those with disabilities, in generating employment and incomes.
  • Showcasing women entrepreneurs as role models.
  • Renewing the commitment of stakeholders towards the promotion of women's entrepreneurship development
  • Giving women entrepreneurs an opportunity to advocate and lobby in issues that are relevant to them.
  • Disseminating information and exchange good practices in the areas of WED.
MOWEA Process
MOWEA Event Planning Process (click to enlarge)

The ILO's practical experiences of the Month of the Woman Entrepreneur (MOWE) in Ethiopia and Zambia, have informed a MOWEA Events Guide. It aims to assist organizations engaged in the promotion of entrepreneurship to systematically plan and implement various events to promote women's entrepreneurship and gender equality in entrepreneurship development. The guide follows a step by step approach which makes it easier for organizations to understand the various issues that need to be considered when planning and implementing MOWE events. A number of tips and worksheets are included into the guide that help to analyze issues involved through all the steps and stages of planning, organizing, implementing as well as monitoring and evaluation of MOWE events.