Women Leadership Conference Empowers Future Entrepreneurs

Mpho Mokwape | Monday July 7, 2014 06:59

 

In its eighth year, the conference drew a very small and intimate crowd that talked about entrepreneurial skills, life experiences, women health, women and the girl child rights and women empowerment. 

Often conferences like these are attended by prominent women, especially those who have made it in politics or business. But this was not the case on Friday when ordinary women shared their extraordinary stories. The topics that dominated the conference included entrepreneurship, cervical cancer and social development.

The conference focused on women having self-confidence, respect for each other, believing in their ability and the power to be leaders. There were discussions on how women in rural areas can benefit from such workshops and the obstacles facing women, especially those trying to set up sustainable businesses.  Many women decried lack of information and financial help as some of the challenges that hinder their progress. They said having a dream but not having support systems is a bitter pill to swallow. 

The founder of the conference, Ouma Rammidi said it was a platform for women to share experiences and get empowered. “I believe that lack of knowledge is poverty and a state of mind that needs to be eradicated first through empowering women and not also that but believing in their dreams,” she said. 

She said that it has always been her dream to uplift women as a contribution to human kind and building a strong nation. Rammidi stated that supporting women catalyses a developmental multiplier effect that generates social and economic benefits in societies that impacts directly on poverty, children’s education, child mortality, mental health and the spread of HIV/AIDS.

She said women should be allowed to live their dream and not be limited. He told women to dare to dream bigger. “Arts is what I do for a living, it is my calling despite the arts industry in Botswana being non-existent making the economic progress difficult and slow, but I still strongly believe and foresee a greater future for the industry if we continue to build and grow it together through support,” Rammidi said. 

Facilitators at the conference included the manager for the National Cervical Cancer Prevention Programme (NCCPP) Mmakgomo Resima and the director of Young Chef’s Academy, Gobonaone Modisane who gave a moving story about her experiences as a young entrepreneur.