KATHMANDU, Nov 14: A regional network of three South Asian countries has been established for the economic empowerment of women. The Regional Network of Businesswomen’s Organization (RNBWO) was launched through the initiative of the US-based Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE).
During the Power in Her Conference held in Manila, Philippines on Thursday, Salima Ahmud, Chairperson of Bangladesh Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BWCCI), Shova Gyawali, President of Federation of Women Entrepreneurs' Association of Nepal (FWEAN), and Tusita Kumaratunga, Secretary of Women's Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC), Sri Lanka signed the MoU, formally establishing the network.
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Bangladesh will chair the network, with Nepal serving as vice-chair and Sri Lanka as secretary. Salima Ahmud has been elected chair, Shova Gyawali as vice-chair, and Tusita Kumaratunga as secretary for the network’s first three-year term, as outlined in the MoU.
Barbara Langley, Director of the CIPE Center for Women Economic Empowerment, Stephen Rosenlund, Director of Association Development, Ryan Evangelista, CIPE, Philippines Country Director, Becky Johnson, CIPE Chief of Staff, Lilah Butler, Program Officer, Center for Women’s Economic Empowerment, Alliza Rebosa, CIPE, Philippines Associate Program Officer, Andrew Mendoza of CIPE Philippines and Darshana Shrestha, first Vice President of FWEAN were among those present on the occasion
The RNBWO will offer training to women entrepreneurs in South Asia, focusing on capacity building, networking, advocacy and discussions on various issues and future opportunities, helping them become stronger and more capable. The CIPE will identify the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs and offer solutions, while also strengthening internal connections.
At the network's launch, CIPE announced plans to expand beyond South Asia to the Asia Pacific region, building a robust women’s rights network. CIPE has a history of supporting women entrepreneurs' rights through the Federation of Women Entrepreneurs Association of Nepal.
