UN Women China Organizes Workshop to Empower Women Entrepreneurs in Asia-Pacific's Digital Economy

In an effort to foster the growth of women entrepreneurs in the digital economy, a Women's Digital Empowerment Partner Workshop was organized by UN Women China. The workshop, held on June 27, 2023, marked the United Nations Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) Day and was conducted as part of the Together Digital Programme initiated by UN Women and the Chinese Ant Foundation in 2022.

Executives from private sector organizations across various countries and leaders from prominent institutions such as Amartha, Ant Foundation, Aureolis Ventures, Connecting Founders, DuAnyam, EY, GoJek, Google, Huawei, Kuaishou Technology, LinkedIn, Microsoft, MyBank, Shiseido, She Loves Tech, StrongHer Ventures, Swire Group, Tokopedia, UBS, and ZhenFund attended the online session.

The workshop served as a platform to discuss and refine the findings of two consultative roundtables held earlier this year. These roundtables focused on identifying best practices, addressing the needs of women entrepreneurs, and exploring high-potential initiatives and partnerships to enhance women's access to digital technology.

During the event, participants engaged in discussions revolving around three main topics: access to skills, funding, and markets. They emphasized the significance of developing mentorship and coaching programs, enhancing pitching and fundraising capabilities, investing in women-led enterprises, and connecting women-led MSMEs to digital marketplaces. These initiatives were identified as critical for supporting women entrepreneurs in the region.

To strengthen women's digital empowerment, the workshop participants outlined future actions, including the establishment of a partner platform for cooperation, information sharing, and the development of action plans.

In addition to the workshop, UN Women unveiled the Multi-Country Study on Women-Led MSMEs, with a Focus on Microenterprises in China, Indonesia, Thailand, Rwanda, and Uganda. This comprehensive report provides valuable insights and recommendations on how to strategize and implement efforts to support women's entrepreneurship.

The roadmap generated from the Women's Digital Empowerment Partner Workshop and the insights shared in the Multi-Country Study are expected to serve as a foundation for promoting the prosperity of women entrepreneurs in the digital economy across Asia and the Pacific. By addressing the challenges faced by women in accessing skills, funding, and markets, this collaborative effort aims to narrow the gender gap in technology and foster an inclusive and thriving business environment for women in the region.

UN Women and its partners are committed to implementing these strategies and working together towards a future where women entrepreneurs can realize their full potential in the digital economy.