Women Entrepreneurship Development Training in East Africa

An ILO-Women's Entrepreneurship Development (WED) training for future ILO-WED assessors in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda was held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from April 10 -12. The training is part of the newly revised ILO-WED Assessment methodology and prepares assessors to carry out national assessments on the existing country mechanisms and practices in place to assist women entrepreneurs. Assessors then develop recommendations on what could be strengthened or done.

The 2013 version of the framework and methodology was modified to focus on six framework conditions:

• Gender-sensitive legal and regulatory environment that favours the economic empowerment of women
• Effective WED Policy Leadership and Coordination
• Access to Gender-Sensitive Financial Services
• Access to Gender-Sensitive Business Development Support
• Access to Markets and Access, Ownership and Usage of Technology
• Representation of Women Entrepreneurs and Participation in Policy Dialogue

For the first time the methodology also incorporates aspects related to women entrepreneurs’ access, use and ownership of Information, Communication and Technologies (ICTs). This work was made possible through collaboration with the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and financial support from Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

The workshop participants included researchers from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda chosen for their previous research and experience in WED, and representatives from women entrepreneurship associations and government officials. The training is led by Ms. Lois Stevenson and Ms. Annette St-Onge, two senior WED experts and key contributors to the revised Assessment Guide and Framework.

The WED Assessments for Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will be published by the end of the year with financing made possible by Irish Aid under the "Women's Entrepreneurship Development and Economic Empowerment" project. The assessments will contribute to concrete action plans for implementation by ILO constituents with the aim of improving and strengthening the local environment in favour of women entrepreneurs. Over the years, the ILO has undertaken WED assessments in over 15 countries.

For more information on this workshop and ILO-WED visit www.ilo.org/wed or follow us on facebook: ILOandWED.