"This demand forces women to struggle to maintain the family economy and to maintain the business they have built. Women will not hesitate or be embarrassed to start business from scratch," said Suryani on an online talkshow hosted by The National Support for Local Investment Climates/National Support for Enhancing Local and Regional Economic Development (NSLIC/NSELRED), Thursday.
The show is designed to address the strengths, challenges, and opportunities faced by women entrepreneurs, and their leadership role in the business and public sector during the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The event took place on the margins of International Development Week 2021 (IDW2021), an annual initiative hosted by the Government of Canada and Canadian development organizations to celebrate the contribution of Canada and Canadians to international development. This year’s IDW2021 takes place from February 7-13 with a focus on gender equality, health and climate change. IDW2021’s slogan - “Go for the Goals” – underlines Canada’s commitment to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Ambassador of Canada for Indonesia, H.E. Cameron MacKay said that studies show that COVID19 has disproportionately impacted women’s businesses around the world – including here in Indonesia.
"Understanding the specific challenges facing Indonesia’s women, especially rural women, the Canadian Embassy is providing capacity building and technical support to help them start, adjust, and expand their businesses via the NSLIC/NSLRED project. Today’s event allows us all to learn from these remarkable women about the opportunities and challenges they are facing during the pandemic," said Ambassador.
Since its inception, NSLIC/NSELRED has supported over 4,600 businesses, half of which are owned by women, with provision of technical assistance to strengthen business management skills and develop local commodities into marketable, innovative products.
The project has reached over 70,000 beneficiaries, 40 percent of which are women. Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) participating in the project have benefited from assistance to develop new sales strategies, including online sales and marketing helping companies to open new markets and establish business links with a wide range of partners to facilitate improved market access for products such as corn, coffee, coconut, organic rice, and palm sugar in 28 regencies.
The project is aligned with the Government of Indonesia’s 2020-2024 National Medium Term Development Plan (RPJMN) and supports 18 out of the 39 national priority areas.
Reporter: PR Wire
Editor: PR Wire
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