FWEAN's industrial village initiative sparks excitement among women entrepreneurs

Published On: December 31, 2023 04:10 PM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

BARDIYA, Dec 31: Women entrepreneurs in Bardiya are expressing enthusiasm following the initiation of an industrial village project by the Federation of Women Entrepreneurs Associations of Nepal (FWEAN). The local government has committed to investing in the project if FWEAN provides the necessary land for the construction of the industrial village.

In a program organized by the district-based women entrepreneurs in Gulariya, Muktinath Yadav, the mayor of Gulariya Municipality, and Shobha Gyawali, the central president of FWEAN, served as the chief guests. Mayor Yadav assured that the local government is committed to collaborating with FWEAN to enhance the engagement of women entrepreneurs in the region.

FWEAN President Gyawali highlighted the significance of joint efforts by the central and local governments to empower women entrepreneurs for their upliftment. She emphasized FWEAN's active presence in 66 districts and its 30-year history of supporting women in business endeavors. Gyawali stressed the importance of educating women in rural areas about their rights and responsibilities, expressing the Federation's goal to expand its presence to all 77 districts.

Given the absence of industrial villages in the district, Gyawali emphasized the challenges faced by women in becoming entrepreneurs. She urged the local government to invest in the construction of industrial villages, predicting that it would positively impact the standard of living for all women in the area.

Mayor Yadav acknowledged the relatively low participation of women entrepreneurs in the city compared to cooperatives and associations. He commended the efforts of women entrepreneurs, encouraging them to assert their rights, especially during budget allocations. Yadav announced Gulariya Municipality's readiness to invest Rs 2 million in the construction of the industrial village.

Basanti Pradhan, the third vice-president of FWEAN, and Saraswati Sharma, the president of FWEAN Lumbini Province, advocated local government support and investment to empower women entrepreneurs. They emphasized that encouraging and investing in women entrepreneurs would contribute to their growth and capability development as the organization expands.