Written by Stephen OPIO | 29 October 2010

Monday 1^st November, 2010                                                                        

Uganda, Kampala- Women Entrepreneur Associations in Uganda, Private Sector Foundation and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) have today announced the Month of November 2010 as the ‘Month of The Woman Entrepreneur’ (MOWE). Under the theme “Strengthening Entrepreneurship Skills and governance of Women Entrepreneurs’ Associations in Uganda”, the of Month of the Woman Entrepreneur celebrations will be conducted through out November, starting with a press conference at the Uganda Media Centre on Monday 1^st November 2010.

The activities, mainly targeting women entrepreneurs in Uganda and their associations are intended to provide entrepreneurship skills enhancement for the women entrepreneurs, create awareness of the need for an enabling business environment for women entrepreneurs and recognize the potential and achievements of women entrepreneurs in generating employment and income among others.

A key Highlight of the Month of the Woman Entrepreneur (MOWE)is a Business Exhibition at the National Theatre Gardens starting on the 18^th-20^th November 2010, Which will bring together over 220 women entrepreneurs who will exhibit different unique products and services

The theme of this year’s Month of the Woman Entrepreneur is instrumental in sharpening the entrepreneurial skills of women entrepreneurs to compete favourable within the East Africa Community Market and beyond.

The ILO in consultation with Women Entrepreneur Associations initiated the first Month of the Woman Entrepreneur events in Uganda in 2006.  Since then, it has become an annual event and November has been designated as the month of Woman Entrepreneur which is celebrated by women entrepreneurs in Uganda with themes and activities selected to address the key issues on the promotion of Women’s Entrepreneurship Development and Gender Equality and equity.

For ILO, the promotion of decent work for women in enterprise is a central concern. The Global Jobs Pact, a decent work response to the crisis, focuses on employment and highlights the need for integrated and balanced recovery measures that are both productive and people-centred. One of its guiding principles is enhancing support to vulnerable women and men hit hard by the crisis. It highlights the role of entrepreneurial skills development, especially to unemployed youth- including women, in overcoming structural challenges.

The voice of women entrepreneurs is key to improving their living and working conditions and enabling them to contribute towards wealthier and sustainable economies and fairer societies.

During this Month of the Woman Entrepreneur, let us commit to promoting a conducive and economically viable environment for the full and effective participation of women in all aspects of society.

Organizations that have joined hands and dedicated this month to women entrepreneurs include; Uganda Women Entrepreneurs Associations Ltd. (UWEAL), Council for Economic Empowerment of Women in Africa- Uganda (CEEWA-U), Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET), Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), Icon Women & Young People’s Leadership Academy (Icon), International Labour Organization’s Project on Women’s Entrepreneurship Development and Gender Equality (ILO WEDGE), Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), Ministry of Labour Gender and Social Development (MGLSD) and Capital FM (91.3)