UNITAR
22 November 2022, Djibouti, Djibouti/Hiroshima, Japan - The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Secretariat, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), and with the financial support from the Government of Canada, is rolling out the Online Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy Training Programme for Women and Girls in the IGAD region.
The programme will pilot with a 5-week online training and a 1-week in-person workshop in the region. Twenty-five women entrepreneurs from IGAD member states are nominated to participate. The pilot will support IGAD in setting up an online learning platform and build its capacity to host and deliver the training programme to its member countries in the future.
The programme will focus on the fundamental concepts of entrepreneurship and on financial literacy. It seeks to help participants develop their entrepreneurial and financial knowledge, skills and competencies so they can identify business opportunities and design and develop solutions to local problems.
This pilot programme is launched on 22nd November 2022 through a virtual event, open to the public. Representatives from IGAD member states, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and United Nations agencies welcomed the participants, shared their expertise and encouraged learners to pursue their passion.
- H.E. Dr Workneh Gebeyehu, IGAD Executive Secretary who has been active in advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women in the IGAD Secretariat, delivered a keynote speech on advancing the economic rights of women in the IGAD region.
- Date: Tuesday, 22 November 2022
- Time: 11 a.m. – noon (Eastern Africa Time) / 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. (UTC)
- Location: Virtual. RSVP at https://undp.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMkfuugqzwoGdGiPAT9sm-xcHk5tqCjMv1y
- Language: English
The design and roll-out of the online training programme were informed by a comprehensive training needs assessment, conducted in 2021 by UNITAR under the “Advancing Gender Equality and Women Empowerment in Africa” project. The assessment found that training needs vary by region, sector and stage of maturity of the entrepreneur’s business. It also highlighted how women entrepreneurs needed to understand the fundamental concepts of entrepreneurship and have financial literacy and tools to help them overcome gender-specific challenges and barriers.
The International Finance Cooperation estimates that women own roughly 48% of all enterprises in Africa. However, women still face obstacles in acquiring the knowledge, know-how and networks to access credit and funding compared to men.
About IGAD
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is a Regional Economic Community with a membership of eight countries in Africa namely- Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda. The Secretariat of IGAD is located in Djibouti with a vision of achieving peace, prosperity and regional integration in the IGAD region. IGAD fosters collaboration among member states through four overarching pillars including Agriculture and Environment, Economic Cooperation, Health and Social Development; Peace and Security.
About UNDP
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet.
About UNITAR, Division for Prosperity
The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) provides innovative learning solutions to individuals, organizations and institutions to enhance global and country-level action for a better future. Located in Hiroshima, the Division for Prosperity trains present and future change-makers from developing countries, particularly youth and women, so they may shape a more inclusive, sustainable and prosperous world. https://www.unitar.org/sustainable-development-goals/prosperity
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