The participation of women in the main stream economy is lagging behind as compared to that of their male counterpart. This was said by the Department of Trade and Industry’s (the dti’s) Ms Nthambeleni Seshebedi at Technology for Women in Business (TWIB) Workshop held in Kimberley today.
The TWIB is one of the programmes of the dti that plays a crucial role in supporting and promoting women entrepreneurs to utilise technology and innovation to advance and grow their businesses. Through this initiative, hundreds of women have benefited as it has enabled them to acquire the state-of-the-art machinery for the advancement of their businesses.
“Even though women are taking the opportunities available for business, the sectors they venture into, are not sustainable, viable and do not provide economic benefits for the shareholders. These are the challenges that most of the women are faced with and do not make it in the economic world,” said Seshebedi.
She also said most of the business women are still using the traditional methods in operating their businesses. The methods they are using are not competitive in sustaining and growing the business.
The TWIB awards give recognition to outstanding individual accomplishments whilst encouraging women to grow their businesses through innovation and invention.
“The programme focuses on women entrepreneurs at all levels and across all economic sectors, from micro to macro-enterprises, and seeks to fast-track their skills development to enable them to embrace appropriate technologies,” added Seshebedi.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe-Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
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