Empowering women entrepreneurs through practical skill training

WODES aims to empower women and is dedicated to the advancement of women’s rights. In order to fulfill this mission WODES is hosting a series of events for women to share their experiences. These events allow women to share their lived experiences and express what they believe needs to be done to uplift women in Nepal.

- WODES

"Empowering women entrepreneurs through practical skill training"- Minu Chitrakar

Importance of practical skill training:

I, like many others, have felt and witnessed the impacts of the global economic recession and women as they often do have felt this change more so than others. This new recession has posed additional challenges to women's professional lives as it has significantly impacted businesses in Nepal.

In today's world, providing practical skills training to women in our target community empowers them to achieve sustainable income through their daily endeavors. Providing training in areas such as boutique crafting, baking, and producing soap and detergents—essential goods for daily life—can substantially improve women's economic opportunities and lay the groundwork for their financial independence. To uplift and revitalize the economic status of women, I maintain that it is imperative to take decisive and impactful action now.

Unlocking Entrepreneurship for Women and Marginalized Communities:

I strongly believe that to empower women with low incomes, marginalized individuals, and those overcoming various challenges, we must offer vocational training that encourages entrepreneurship. Many women face significant difficulties in securing the basic resources necessary to start and sustain small businesses due to financial constraints. By providing them with essential materials and support, we can create pathways for them to pursue entrepreneurship more effectively and confidently.

Barriers to Empowerment:

We need to address bias

I know some things are easier said than done, therefore in order to empower women's entrepreneurship barriers and biases must be addressed. Currently, local governments and municipalities are offering a variety of vocational skill training programs for women, funded by the government. However, these programs are often influenced by political parties, leading to a bias that disproportionately favors women who are part of these political networks compared to those who are not. These programs often require women to form groups, raise funds, and hold general meetings in order to access these training opportunities. Requirements such as these create barriers for those with low incomes, limited political connections, or marginalized backgrounds. For many women, especially those whose husbands are at work and children are at school, attending these training sessions often becomes a social activity rather than a meaningful opportunity for genuine skill development. While some individuals may benefit from numerous training opportunities, many who truly require these programs are left without access. I have come to understand that despite government investments aimed at promoting women's economic development, the rise in women entrepreneurs remains stagnant, indicating a misallocation of resources.

The Role of Accounting and Legal Knowledge

Another aspect of entrepreneurship that I believe is crucial for women to grasp is the importance of accounting and legal knowledge. Lacking proficiency in these fields can cause setbacks and hinder women's entrepreneurial aspirations and even jeopardize the small businesses they have traditionally managed. I have heard of countless women in villages and towns who have faced setbacks, losing their businesses due to challenges such as government registration hurdles, unexpected fees, complex auditing processes, taxes, penalties, bureaucratic delays, and irregularities, as well as the issues arising from managing employees. I believe in the importance of women gaining accounting skills and legal knowledge as it can enhance their self-confidence and resilience, empowering them to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship more effectively.

Digital empowerment for Women Entrepreneurs:

Today, individuals increasingly depend on digital marketing strategies rather than traditional word-of-mouth referrals. As a result, I expect digital education to become an essential aspect needed to empower women and promote their businesses effectively. By leveraging digital platforms, entrepreneurs can gain valuable insights into consumer interests, allowing them to tailor their products and sales strategies to meet market demands. Recognizing this shift, it is imperative to equip women with the necessary digital skills and knowledge to thrive in the modern business landscape.

Bridging the Urban-Rural Divide:

Addressing the Needs of Migrants and urban poor in Cities

When organizations evaluate various programs, they often prioritize rural areas over urban settings. While this focus can be beneficial, it is crucial to acknowledge the increasing trend of migration to cities. In recent years, like many around me, I have noticed many individuals have relocated to urban centers in pursuit of better educational opportunities for their children and enhanced job prospects. However, this relocation has created a disconnect from their productive agricultural roots and they face unmet employment expectations. Moreover, the number of individuals seeking work abroad continues to rise. Migrant women disproportionately bear the brunt of production and economic hardships. Although some may secure jobs as domestic workers, many are left without employment options altogether. Given this evolving landscape, I believe in the implementation of urban poverty-focused programs to address the needs of urban migrants and their families. I hope the more awareness this issue receives the better we will be able to bridge this urban-rural divide.

Empowering the Ethnic Community:

Unlike other groups migrating from rural areas to urban centers, the Newar community often faces challenges in openly discussing their issues and seeking support. It is thus important to speak about the change in their change of position in the economic landscape of Kathmandu. As a Newar woman myself I have witnessed a significant transformation in the economic landscape of the indigenous Newar community in Kathmandu. Traditionally the Newar people had large tracts of land and many were farmers, but many former farmers now find themselves with only small parcels of land or modest homes. As a result, I have observed the economic divide in the city growing wider. Many aging farming families reside in deteriorating conditions, struggling to generate any income from their properties, and are increasingly lacking access to quality education and skills training. It is because of these changes that I believe it is crucial to invest in skill development initiatives within this community to enhance their opportunities for economic participation and self-sufficiency. By investing in this community and its women we will be able to stop the increasing number of families without viable income-generating.

Targeted Training for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship:

Whether it's a women's development society or any other organization offering training, I believe these initiatives should specifically focus on the poor, marginalized, and those who have been exploited by their families and society. It is also important that each training opportunity is closely aligned with fostering women's entrepreneurship and driving economic development.

Contact:

Women Development Society (WODES)

Swoyambhu-15, Kathmandu Nepal

Phone: 977 1 4279 318

Email: info.wodes@gmail.com

Website: wodes.org.np