To celebrate International Women’s Day 2026, OWIT-international hosted a compelling webinar titled Give to Gain, bringing together women from Africa, Europe, and the Americas to discuss how women are redefining trade around the globe.
In her opening remarks, President Noreen Burroughes Cesareo (OWIT-UK) emphasized that women are building strong businesses, entering new markets, and participating in global trade. The challenge is not participation, but an “architecture gap” – within the surrounding systems of finance, procurement, and market access, women still face challenges in succeeding and scaling up. Yet, women are finding ways to navigate, adapt to, and even re-shape these structures.
Give to Gain highlights how women are contributing immense value, and when the right systems are in place, the returns can be exponential. OWIT helps build meaningful connections across markets and sectors in ways that create growth and revenue, enabling women not just to participate in trade, but evolve it.
Moderated by Blessing Irabor-Oza (OWIT-Nigeria) and Salome Kavindu (OWIT-Kenya), the webinar invited the following speakers to share their business achievements, successes in trade, and advice for women entrepreneurs:
Patricia Kenneth, International Centre for Protocol and Diplomacy, OWIT-UK
Sandra Ejang, Western Silk Road, OWIT-Uganda
Temitope Mayegun, Avila Naturalle, OWIT-Nigeria
Jennie Sammur, TP & JS Enterprises, OWIT-Tampa Bay
Takeaways:
- When we open up opportunities to others, we gain opportunities ourselves – even if in unexpected ways.
- The real gains in trade come from investing in the people and systems that create value.
- OWIT plays a key role in amplifying women’s voices in global trade and connecting them to networks. In Africa, women are leveraging OWIT to engage with government bodies on trade facilitation.
- Women must prepare to adapt in an ever-changing world by identifying their strengths and staying resilient.
I recommend that you learn from others in a competent, international association which helps develop your vision and gain the skills you need to achieve your goal. At OWIT International, I have learnt practical thought leadership. Join OWIT events on: www.owit.org for insights and strategies on networking.
Author: Jeanne Brownewell is an OWIT-Toronto member, the Sector Advisor Co-Op,ONeconomy | Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
