MTN Uganda hosts women expo

March 14, 2017 in Business, Trade & Industry by Editor

March 14–Women in Uganda have been applauded for their entrepreneurial spirit in the aftermath of a business expo in Kampala.

“Women in Uganda have proved that they can direct the business path of this country and lead its growth to greater heights. They are very enthusiastic and passionate about growth and development of business in Uganda,” Wim Vanhelleputte, the MTN Chief Executive Officer said.

He said there are many women engaged at various levels in the fight for women involvement/participation in business and this has persuaded their colleagues to join. He said these efforts need to be supported.

The recent Women in Business Expo was financially supported by MTN and it attracted hundreds of women involved in several areas of commerce who showcased their goods and services.

MTN, Chief Marketing Officer, Mapula Bodibe said the expo was meant to help women with small businesses to exhibit their goods to potential customers with a view of boosting sales and in return increasing their incomes.

According to a 2014 report done by the International Labour Organization, titled ‘Women’s Entrepreneurship Development in Uganda: Insights and recommendations’, its highlighted that women make up 52.5% of the labour force. They are also an important pool of potential talent to help Uganda meet its development goals, especially in the area of entrepreneurship and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) growth.

However, it is generally known that women face more challenges than men in starting, managing and growing their enterprises as they are more likely to be impeded by a lack of the necessary capacities, skills and resources. They are more disadvantaged than men due to legal impediments, established cultural norms and attitudes about women’s roles, less mobility, and the unequal demands of domestic responsibilities on women’s time among other things.

Vanhelleputte said MTN recognizes such challenges and opportunities that women encounter in business the reason they support such cause pertaining  to women empowerment in business.