Stakeholders’ meet ‘Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs: Journey of Strength and Success’ held in Kohima to boost women-led businesses.
Share
KOHIMA — A state-level stakeholders’ meet titled ‘Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs: Journey of Strength and Success’ was held at the banquet hall of Hotel Vivor in Kohima on March 13, recognising the achievements of women entrepreneurs and discussing ways to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Nagaland.
The programme was implemented by Friends of Women’s World Banking (FWWB) with support from Entrepreneurs Associates (tEA) and HSBC.
Addressing the gathering, Yongchingkumla, secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and mission director of Mission Shakti, highlighted the vital role women play in socio-economic development, stating that they sustain families and act as the driving force strengthening communities.
She noted that women in Nagaland have long been pillars of strength and hard work, showing the courage to establish businesses and contribute to the development of the state.
Also read: St. Joseph University celebrates National Science Day with focus on women in science
Commending the efforts of Entrepreneurs Associates in supporting women entrepreneurs, she said collaboration through tEA would enable outreach to other districts and help extend support to the grassroots level.
Yongchingkumla also congratulated women entrepreneurs for their determination and described them as inspiring examples for younger generations.
She further urged collective efforts to promote and support locally made products by women entrepreneurs to empower them and help their businesses grow.
The official also highlighted various schemes and missions for women being implemented under the Social Welfare Department in the state.
Petevilie Khatsü, State Mission Director, DAY-NULM, SUDA, and Joint Director of Urban Development, presented on “Provisions under Urban Development” and shared some schemes and opportunities which the entrepreneurs can avail.
Ikheshe Kahato, Assistant Director, Directorate of Industries and Commerce, presented on “Start-up policy schemes and eco-system” and also spoke on the different schemes that is available under the department.
He updated that there are 267 startups in the state registered in the portal, out of which 88 startups are women.
He clarified that the state has more start-ups but they are not registered under the department as they want to be independent.
However, he said they are approaching those startups to register so that they can also avail the benefits from the government.
During the programme, an AV and a Coffee Table Book of the FWWB team were unveiled by the special guests, and women entrepreneurs were also felicitated.
Alexis Muthiah, programme manager of FWWB, highlighted about the FWWB’s work, and the works of The Entrepreneurs Associates (tEA) were highlighted by Neikule Doulo, executive director of tEA.
Doulo, in her speech, mentioned that their experience has shown that many women, nano entrepreneurs or those starting the journey, feel that their business is never a priority compared to their other concerns and they need to work on that aspect. They need to be helped to view their economic empowerment as being directly proportional to the well being of those whom they support and work hard for.
She said that the market in Nagaland alone may be limited and small but for business, the whole country and the world is the market, and this realisation helps the women to become those who stir growth and not those associated with livelihoods.
She also assured that tEA will continue to strive to make women become real entrepreneurs and said that they want to collectively envision making 100 women crore pattis in the next 10 years, for which they need partners like FWWB and the government to support the journey.
Two beneficiaries, namely Verhelo-u Nuh and Swudutalu Therie also shared their experiences.