The 5-year Women Entrepreneurship Programme, organised by the Federation of Norwegian Commercial and Service Enterprises (HSH), is now well on its way after the official launch in Uganda earlier this year. The Norwegian Ambassador Elisabeth Jacobsen was delighted to launch the second phase of the Programme, Wednesday 27th May 2009 at the Hill Park Hotel. Present were participants from Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania & Kenya.
The overall objective of the programme is to establish a trade house and two market oriented brands in order to meet the taste and demands within the regional trade bloc, the Norwegian and Nordic market. The participating companies will hold ownership shares both- in the brands and the trade house. In addition to the overall objective a part of the training will add on to strengthening the cooperation partners’ organisations and increase their membership offerings.
Ambassador Jacobsen stated in her opening speech that participants not only had a responsibility use the skills learned in this programme, but also to spread the skills and being an inspiration as role models for other women entrepreneurs. The ambassador said that: ‘I hope this programme will empower you with the skills to become more successful entrepreneurs, thus creating employment and prosperity in your communities.’
Women’s rights and gender equality is one of the main priority areas in Norwegian development policy. Ensuring women’s rights and supporting women’s role in development is key in order to achieve the vision set out in the UN’s Millennium Declaration and to reach the Millennium Development Goals.
The Women Entrepreneurship programme is organised by the Federation of Norwegian Commercial and Service Enterprises (HSH) and supported by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) and in cooperation with the women entrepreneur organisations; AWAN (African Women Agribusiness Network), NAWOU (National Association of Women Organisations in Uganda) or UWEAL (Uganda Women Entrepreneurs Association).