Introducing OWIT International to Women Entrepreneurs in South Africa
Trade has the potential to expand women’s role in the economy, decrease inequality and expand women’s access to skills and education. It can expand business opportunities through increased market access and hence create jobs. The South African Government has committed itself to the empowerment of women under Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 which seeks to achieve women’ s equality and women economic empowerment.
It is with this understanding that the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) and Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) are collaborating to bring relevant information to women operating in the small business sector that will contribute to the achievement of this goal. The DSBD in partnership with the DWYPD and in collaboration with Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) will host a webinar on the 6th August from 14:00-17:00 SAST to introduce women entrepreneurs and professionals to The Organisation of Women in International Trade (OWIT International).  The webinar will be supported by the EU-funded Ecosystem Development for Small Enterprise (EDSE) programme in the planning, organisation, facilitation and documentation of the event.
OWIT International is a member-based and umbrella organization overseen by women entrepreneurs and professionals within chapters that each represent a geographical region. Established in 1989 it offers services to its chapters and its members through networking, learning and sharing events among other activities. There are already three chapters in Africa, in Nairobi (Kenya), Zimbabwe and Nigeria. OWIT International President Camelia Mazard is one of the webinar speakers and will provide a brief overview of the organization.
The webinar has the following objectives:
- Introduce the OWIT concept to South African women entrepreneurs and professionals.
- Sharing knowledge and information on international trade.
- To determine the level of interest in establishing an OWIT chapter in South Africa.
- To determine the level of support required to establish the chapter.
For further details please contact Thami Obuzua at: Thami.Obuzua@thepalladiumgroup.com.