Project launched to empower women entrepreneurs
DODOMA: A NEW project has been launched to empower young women entrepreneurs to develop socially driven startups in the reproductive health sector.
Christened Providing Opportunity to Women in Entrepreneurship and Reproductive Health (POWER), the initiative is spearheaded by Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung (DSW) Tanzania.
With its pilot phase currently being implemented in Dar es Salaam, the project focuses on providing entrepreneurship training, business management skills, mentorship and funding opportunities to help young women launch and grow sustainable businesses that contribute to reproductive health innovations.
Speaking during an interview on the sidelines of a project appraisal meeting held over the weekend, DSW Country Director Peter Owaga said the initiative targets women entrepreneurs aged between 21 and 30.
The roundtable forum brought together potential stakeholders to review the project’s progress and exchange ideas and experiences to enhance its implementation.
Mr Owaga said the meeting also served as a platform to map potential resource providers who could sustain support for the beneficiary entrepreneurs.
“With several targeted women already enrolled in Dar es Salaam, the project is concentrating on those interested in developing and growing start-ups in the reproductive health sector,” he said.
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He added that the project’s key objective is to promote the development of women-led reproductive health start-ups and enterprises in Tanzania, thereby increasing economic independence and creating jobs.
Mr Owaga further explained that the long-term vision is to establish an accelerator that nurtures women-driven reproductive health-focused start-ups and entrepreneurial initiatives in the country.
On his part, POWER Project Coordinator Peter Ali said the initiative is working closely with the government to achieve its intended outcomes.
He revealed that through collaboration with sectoral ministries, the project is creating crucial links between beneficiary women entrepreneurs and key opportunities.
“For instance, we are planning a special demonstration day where project beneficiaries will meet key stakeholders, including investors in the reproductive health sector, academics and officials from the parent ministry,” he said.
According to him, the platform will allow the young entrepreneurs to showcase their innovative ideas, plans, products and services to secure funding and sponsorship, ultimately helping them maximise the execution of their projects.
