Gov’t Hosts ‘Empowering Women Entrepreneurs through Digital Transformation’ Training

The Ministry of Social and Family Development and the Asian and Pacific Training Centre for ICT for Development (APCICT) are organizing the “Training on Empowering Women Entrepreneurs through Digital Transformation” on 14-16 December 2024. 

The programme aims to empower women entrepreneurs in Maldives to develop the mindset, knowledge, and skills needed to embrace digital transformation and succeed in the digital economy.

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Supporting women entrepreneurs, particularly those engaged in micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), in harnessing the potential of digital tools and platforms is of paramount importance. It is a crucial step towards gender equality in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

Women, despite their immense potential, often face systemic barriers and disparities in accessing resources and opportunities. Digital tools and platforms can level the playing field by providing them with accessible and cost-effective means to market their products, access financial services, and acquire the skills necessary to grow their businesses.

The integration of digital tools and platforms into the business strategies of women entrepreneurs can also lead to increased economic resilience and sustainability. Women-owned MSMEs, in particular, are vulnerable to external shocks, such as economic downturns or natural disasters. Digitalization, such as e-commerce and digital marketing, allows for diversification of revenue streams by tapping into other markets. 

Additionally, digitalization enables better inventory management, cost optimization, and improved customer engagement, all of which are critical for the survival and growth. Supporting women in MSMEs to adopt digital solutions enhances their ability to weather economic uncertainties, thereby contributing to the overall stability and resilience of their businesses.

The programme is based on APCICT’s Women ICT Frontier Initiative, a flagship capacity building programme for women entrepreneurs to utilize digital tools and platforms in their businesses. The training will include the following courses:

• Digital Technologies and Financial Management. This course empowers women entrepreneurs with financial literacy and analytical skills, enabling them to assess their financial status and interpret data effectively.
•  Business Continuity Planning. This course addresses the need for proactive planning in the face of uncertainties. Business continuity planning will provide knowledge and skills for women entrepreneurs to plan, strategize, and manage crisis situations in their businesses.