Tunisia affirms support for 50 Million African Women Speak Project

The implementation of the 50 Million African Women Speak Project (50MAWSP) is officially underway in Tunisia after a team from COMESA commenced engagements with project stakeholders in the country. The official launch of the 50 Million African Women Speak Project in Tunisia took place 22 October at the Le Palace Hotel in Gammarth and will entail a two-day meeting of stakeholders from the government, private sector and civil society who will agree on the best way to implement the initiative in Tunisia. The official launch means Tunisia, which is the newest member of COMESA, is now added to a list of 38 countries targeted by the project. The project aims to support African women in business through a platform which will provide easier access to information on financial and non-financial services, and in turn help women entrepreneurs grow their businesses. It is a venture which is being jointly undertaken by three regional economic communities namely the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA); East African Community (EAC) and; Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), with a combined membership of 38 countries. Hon. Neziha Labidi, the Minister for Women, Family, Childhood and Seniors presided over the launch, describing the project as one which has the potential to transform the role of women entrepreneurs in Tunisia and Africa at large. “We all agree that women play a critical role in the social economic development of our economies despite the numerous challenges, some gender specific, that they encounter,” she said. The available statistics show that women make up nearly one quarter of Tunisia’s working population, and that more than 10,000 women are heads of businesses. Nevertheless, women in Tunisia face unique challenges in the pursuit of their economic dreams, as they have to deal with obstacles placed in their way by culture, restricted access to finances to start businesses, and limited access to information. Hon. Labidi explained that the 50 Million African Women Speak digital platform will be one way to overcome these challenges. The COMESA Director for Gender and Social Affairs Mrs. Beatrice Hamusonde who led the COMESA delegation to Tunisia explained that the platform development was completed and the next step is to update it with relevant content to benefit women in business or those who intend plan to start businesses. “Women entrepreneurs in Tunisia and the region will use the platform to access information and linkages to business services, training and market opportunities,” Mrs. Hamusonde stated. “The platform will build a community of existing and potential women entrepreneurs who will act as peers, mentors and advisors to each other. This will allow women to share lessons, success stories as well as conduct business online with counterparts in Africa and beyond”. The platform aims to connect at least 50 million women across the African continent, providing information to help them grow their businesses as well as giving them opportunities to connect through a variety of networking features.