ILO to mark the Month of Women Entrepreneurs in Somalia

Hargeisa (ILO News) - The International Labour Organization (ILO) will mark the Month of Women Entrepreneurs (MOWE) in Hargeisa, Somaliland with a series of key events to highlight milestones and achievements of Somali women engaged in small and medium size enterprises.

MOWE or Month of the Women Entrepreneurs is an ILO-WED initiative that is taken on by local partners in order to promote women's entrepreneurship. The objective of the Month of Women Entrepreneurs is to celebrate women in business, to promote positive female role models and to encourage further local support for businesses as an option for women and girls.

Women entrepreneurs from across the country are provided with a platform to develop linkages with national and international markets; and a network with persons in the related industries. The event will also showcase a trade-fair presented by women entrepreneurs.

Gender barriers in the labour market

Somali women have achieved incredible feats in operating start-up and existing businesses in the country. These achievements have not been without difficulty. Women work hard to support their families and provide most of the labour required for the families’ survival. They fetch water and wood, take care of livestock, milk the animals, process the milk, carryout small scale businesses, feed the family and take care of the children. In urban areas, women traders are visible in all markets selling foodstuff and all manner of items in order to support their households. However, gender barriers in the labour and economic market still exist.

The ILO - through a European Union funded project -, “Support to the promotion of Gender Equality and Women’s Economic Empowerment”, has managed to train women on different business skills and provide them with business start-up opportunities.

Join us as we showcase the efforts of Somali women entrepreneurs in making a positive contribution to their community and local economy.

Event: Date and Venue: Hargeisa, Somaliland, Maan-Soor Hotel: 25-26th February, 2014

ILO Somalia is promoting peace, stability through the development and delivery of Decent Work. This is undertaken throughout the Somali region by helping Somaliland’s, Puntland’s and South Central’s regional and district authorities to create employment and to offer social protection.

For more information:
ILO Somalia Programme
Tel: + 254-20-762-1363
Fax: +254-20-762-3540
Email: [email protected]