Trade, Gender and Women’s Entrepreneurship

Trade, Gender and Women’s Entrepreneurship – Opening Scene Setting Remarks – Ambassador Robin Renee Sanders, D.Sc. – Moderator AGOA-CSO Panel  as part of the AGOA Ministerial, Washington D.C.,  2:00 – 3:30, June 13, 2012

Welcome to this important panel on Trade, Gender, and Women’s Entrepreneurship

The word itself and the energy associated with the term “entrepreneurship” can be summed, in my view, in a number of ways -- linked to drivers such as innovation, inspiration, and insightfulness (the 3 I’s) in responding to a need in the economic, business or social sectors for either goods and services or to address an element of the global human condition today. There are no better examples of how entrepreneurship can be transformative in one’s life or one’s community than what women in general, and African women in particular are doing across the Continent – especially today as they help enhance trade, push for more entrepreneur- friendly policies, and help advance the economic well-being of their respective nations.

With more than half the world’s population women at 50.9%, translating into 143, 368, 343, and with half of Sub-Saharan Africa’s population of 1 billion also  women, we see more and more women enlivening the entrepreneurship space with the 3 I’s I noted above – innovation, inspiration, and insightfulness – and our 3 panelists today are both illustrative and emblematic of this. Each panelist will have about 5 minutes for their formal remarks, then we will move to an interactive session.

We have with us today (their bio sketches are in your packets):

Ms. Comfort Aku Adjahoe – Owner of Ele Agbe (I actually met her when I was US rep to ECOWAS and have tried her great products) – Ele Agbe is a shea butter company in Ghana. Ms. Au Adjahoe transformed her sea butter shop into a major trading company.

Ms. Nigist Haile – an entrepreneurial activist and Founder and Executive Director of the Center for African Women Economic Empowerment (CAWEE) that helps and provides capacity building for women entrepreneurs.

Ms. Winnie Mandosela-Kamalandu – a senior lecturer in the Department of Economic at the University of Swaziland, and an expert on social-economic issues and international trade.

Enola Mafie – Program Manager on West Africa of Vital Voices Partnership where she provides program and development support for Vital Voices’ economic and SME development in the US and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Other Definitions of Entrepreneurship, which you might find useful:

Entrepreneurship is the act of being an entrepreneur or "one who undertakes innovations, finance and business acumen in an effort to transform innovations into economic goods". This may result in new organizations or may be part of revitalizing mature organizations in response to a perceived opportunity. The most obvious form of entrepreneurship is that of starting new businesses (referred as Startup Company); however, in recent years, the term has been extended to include social and political forms of entrepreneurial activity. When entrepreneurship is describing activities within a firm or large organization it is referred to as intra-preneurship and may include corporate venturing, when large entities spin-off organizations.^[1]

According to Paul Reynolds, entrepreneurship scholar and creator of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, "by the time they reach their retirement years, half of all working men in the United States probably have a period of self-employment of one or more years; one in four may have engaged in self-employment for six or more years. Participating in a new business creation is a common activity among U.S. workers over the course of their careers." ^[2] And in recent years has been documented by scholars such as David Audretsch to be a major driver of economic growth in both the United States and Western Europe. "As well, entrepreneurship may be defined as the pursuit of opportunity without regard to resources currently controlled (Stevenson,1983)." ^[3]  There are a number of other definitions of entrepreneurship which reflect today’s reality. The Kaufmen Foundation notes the phenomenon of entrepreneurship as being efforts to advance education and training efforts, to promote entrepreneurship-friendly policies, [or] to better facilitate the commercialization of new technologies by entrepreneurs and others, which have great promise for improving the economic welfare of our nation[s].

(sources: wikipedi, pulled June 12, 2012; source  Kaufmen Foundation pulled, June 12, 2012)

Women for Change Initiative, Nigerian Women on the Move

2000 Nigerian Women Strong said "Yes We Can" for Change at the July 16, 2010, launching of Nigeria's Women For Change Initiative opened by the First Lady of Nigeria Dame Patience Jonathan. I was asked to be the keynote speaker at the event to highlight the achievements of both Nigerian and African-American women -- both past and present. I mentioned pioneering Nigerian women like Kuti and Alele Williams and African-American standard bearers like Mary McLeod Bethune. I also called for women to be involved in Nigeria's cornerstone and transformative 2011 election as it is a "must-do" for Nigeria to get it right as regards to both election credibility and transparency. The event organized by the Minister of Women Affairs, Josephine Anenih underscored the commitment of First Lady Dame Patience to work with this NGO to stop violence against women as well as work to improve the overall lives of Nigerian women in the areas from health care to education. She also called for an increased in job opportunities -- particularly in government -- for women at all levels. It was wonderful to hear more than 2000 women shout "Yes We Can!" on all these points in the Abuja Women's Center. It was great and I am with them all the way (as I was deemed one of the Ambassadors For Change in addition to giving the keynote). It is time for a change and the Women For Change Initiative (WFCI) is a step in the right direction!! WFCI NGO will focus on economic development, health, education and self-help for women. WFCI is open to all Nigerian women and other elements of WFCI will be highlighted during Nigeria's 50 independence celebrations!

see link for full remarks http://http//blogitrrs.blogspot.com/search/label/Speeches
Labels: Education, Elections, Speeches, Women

Dr. Sanders Remarks: 50@50 Speech

Women For Change Initiative (WPCI)
Women’s Center
Abuja, Nigeria
July 16th 2010

Written as Delivered

I am honored to be here among such distinguished women. Let’s all applaud her Excellency First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan for asking all of us to come together to celebrate change… To celebrate the lives of women past and present that have made an impact on history… on the world and to celebrate 50 years of Nigerian Independence. So today because we are strong we always say YES WE CAN!

In fact, today what I am going to ask you to say with from time to time. Is Yes We Can! So as we women can we make a change in the world? Can we make a change for Nigeria?

Yes We Can!

Why can we be “Women For Change”? Because, we are giving like Ogun Leye, who once gave her month salary to a women’s rural empowerment group; we are organized, like Funmilayo Kuti, who brought together 20 thousand women that led to equal tax rights for women; and we are educators like African American Mary McLeod Bethune who founded the National Council of Negro Women and served on the cabinet under the U.S. President Roosevelt. [And Grace Alele Williams who was the first Nigerian women to earn a PhD and the first female vice chancellor of a Nigerian University]

In Nigeria today there are 75 million women; that’s the 9th highest female population in the world. Here today we are going to come together to take stock of the way forward as Nigeria turns 50 this year.

Can I hear a Yes We Can! Yes we can, yes we can, be “Women for Change” and take stock of where women are in: finance, education, and health today.

We know we can change the development in Nigeria. Because, every women or young girl believes that they are the change. You are half of Nigeria. Because, every woman or young girl anywhere in the world can become and do whatever they want to do to make better lives for themselves. You are half the population of Nigeria. Therefore, you are the force for change in Nigeria. You are the movement for change.

Women must be the force behind economic growth. You know in the United States one of the first black millionaires was a woman. Her name was Madame C.J. Walker. She promoted herself into business by building her own factory from the ground up. So we must strive together we must support female ingenuity... We must support female creativity we must support female leadership. Can we do this! Yes We Can!

We must support the education and development of women! Can we do this! Yes we can! We must support the health and businesses of women. Can we do this? Yes We Can!

On education, we must take educating our daughters more seriously. Right now 21% percent of young girls in Nigeria from 10-16 year old are not in School. Education is directly related to income of women...

And we all know that economic independence is power for development… power for elections. And we all know you as women have an important and critical election coming up in 2011, and I hope you all go out and vote... So that you have more representation at all levels of government. If Nigeria is to progress and move forward we need change for women Can We Do this? Yes We Can!

You are about to celebrate 50 years of independence. This will be a tremendous marker of your future. And all Nigerian women must play a bigger role in the next 50 years. Can you do this? Yes We Can!

You know I have been welcomed here as a member of the family. Therefore, as a family member I want to do my part, this is what fuels my desire to help…. To care… and to want the best for Nigerian women everywhere. You are my friends, I am too a woman for change. I am with you every step of the way (see link for full remarks). http://http//blogitrrs.blogspot.com/search/label/Speeches

Trying to Preserve the Uli Cultural Practice

June 16-18, 2009: For the last two days I have been traveling in the southeast states of Enugu and Anambra to the villages of Enugwu-Inyi and Nkwelle-Ogidi to meet with the few traditional practitioners of an Igbo cultural practice called Uli who were being trained under a USG grant by a renowned Igbo professor, artist, and academic, who I consider an Uli activist, to preserve Uli designs through crafts from jewelry to pottery to clothes. I actually bought a set of placemats with Uli designs from CAD, hand painted pottery, and a pair of earrings. Traditionally Uli symbols were painted on the body in place of clothes or on huts (homes) or shrines, but modern times have put pressure to abandon these wonderful ways. I met and had the opportunity to have conversations with the most fantastic women in their 60s-80s who are the last of their kind trying to hold on to the ways of the past that their mothers and grandmothers taught regarding Uli. Although many of them no longer know what the individual Uli symbols mean, except to say that their spirits tell them what to paint, they were all beautiful women (one claimed she was old-age beautiful!), with wonderful spirits and full of life. They all told me they were renewed by the training and the possibility of the economic empowerment that selling crafts would bring them. With this grant, the USG has not only given these women hope, but also helped in transforming their lives. This means a lot and makes me not only pleased that the U.S. Mission is involved in projects like this, but that the giving nature of the American people can be seen through the eyes of these incredible women!

Ambassador Sanders' Remarks at The Dedication Ceremony of Rosa Parks Education and Information Center

Ambassador Robin Reneé Sanders

Remarks

Dedication Ceremony of Rosa Parks Education and Information Center

U.S. Embassy
February 27, 2008
11 a.m.

Thank you for joining me today at this dedication of our education and information center in honor of a woman of courage – Rosa Louise Parks.

We have already heard from three courageous Nigerian women. Sandra, Ene (Ena), and Lilian, I am impressed by your accomplishments and honored that you are here today.

Today’s event is just one of a series of events both in Abuja and Lagos celebrating our national day this year, with a special emphasis on our diversity as a nation and as a people. Many of you know that in the United States February is African American History Month and March, which we are fast approaching, is Women’s History Month. So I think it is fitting that we recognize the singular achievements of a woman at this particular time.

Rosa Parks, who grew up in a segregated America, was a woman of great courage. She set an example for all who stand up for their rights as human beings and for their rights to participate fully in their societies.

On Thursday evening, December 1, 1955, after a long day of work as a seamstress for a Montgomery, Alabama department store, Rosa Parks boarded a city bus to go home and took a seat in the middle section.

As the bus became full, the driver told her to move to the back to make room for white passengers. Rosa, a woman who had obeyed the law all her life, said no, and refused to get up from her seat.

As brave as she was, her action violated segregation laws, and she was arrested and jailed.

However, her courage that day set off a chain of events that reverberated throughout American society and changed the legal, historical, and cultural landscape of America.

Almost one year after Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her seat, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Montgomery’s segregation laws were unconstitutional. The very next day, Rosa Parks, along with Martin Luther King, Jr., boarded a city bus and proudly took a seat right up front. Because of her courage Parks was nationally recognized as the “mother of the modern day civil rights movement” in the United States.

A recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1996, the highest honor given by the U.S. executive branch and cited as one of the most influential women of the 20th century, Mrs. Parks went on in life to always ensure she helped others who were less fortunate.

She worked tirelessly to motivate and direct youth to help them achieve their highest potential. Rosa Parks saw the energy of young people as a real force for change. It was among her most treasured themes of human priorities as she spoke to young people of all ages at schools, colleges, and national organizations around the world.

Her life was a profound example of courage, dignity, and determination underscoring the importance of believing in yourself, and living by your principles. Mrs. Parks’ quiet singular courageous act changed a nation, and redirected the course of the history of the United States.

Thus, it is my very great honor to dedicate this center to the life and to the legacy of this incredible global citizen – Rosa Louise Parks.

We have commissioned her portrait and a plaque to hang on the wall of this center so everyone who walks in here will feel her spirit and I hope be inspired by her commitment to justice.

And now it is with great pride that I dedicate this center to the memory of Rosa Louise Parks and hereby name it the Rosa Parks Education and Information Center.

Ambassador Sanders' Remarks on Women Empowerment

Ambassador Robin Reneé Sanders

Women and Access to Business Capital – Mitigating the Gender Gap in Nigeria's Emerging Market

National Centre for Women Development, Abuja
February 7, 2008

All Protocols Observed.

It is an honor for me to be with you here today, not only because we are only a month away from Women’s History Month, but also because February is Black History Month, a month that heralds not only the achievement of women in general, but the achievements of women of color in particular. I must also say it is wonderful to be in this center again as I was here when the center was first built in partnership with U.S. Government resources. So we have come full circle with this partnership program today between our two great countries.

Empowerment, Education, and Equality – women are making extraordinary contributions in these three areas … improving the welfare of their countries as political, social and economic leaders…and as vital voices for change. In my own country, women hold such leadership positions as Speaker of the House of Representatives, Secretary of State, and heads of major corporations and small businesses alike.

I am proud to be the first woman to serve as the United States Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, where key members of my team are also women -- all working on the three E’s I just mentioned. These three things –empowerment, education and equality – are the foundation of what we are as women, what we want as women, and what we still need to achieve for women and young girls now and in the future.

I know and have seen in Nigeria that women in Nigeria are no different. I am proud to share the dais today with some of Nigeria's outstanding women leaders at all levels of government, business, and social sector levels. And I applaud your support of today's program. But we know that, although much has been accomplished, much remains to be done.

Investing in People is one of the central pillars of our framework for partnership with Nigeria. We understand the tremendous political, economic and social benefits that will result from the further empowerment, equality, and education of Nigerian women and young girls. I would like to take a moment to share with you a few examples of our work in these areas.

Political participation is the cornerstone of democracy, for women as well as men. The U.S. Government has supported, with technical assistance women candidates and aspirants of all political parties through training and networking. We have worked with political parties at the state and federal government levels to promote positive gender policies that encourage qualified women to seek and win elective office. US Government assistance has helped women participate fully in electoral reform issues to advocate for greater participation in the political process.

In the 2007 polls, for example, the U.S. Government helped increase the number of women in various elected positions by assisting with capacity building such as developing gender-specific policies, constituency outreach programs, and having their nomination fees waived. I know you feel as I do that more key frameworks need to be put in place such as a convention like the Convention to Eliminate Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which would be a significant step towards further unleashing the political, economic and social potential of the Nigerian women.

As you know, the economic empowerment of women is equally crucial to development. In Nigeria this is even more evident. While major corporations make headlines, it is a country's micro, small and medium sized enterprises that power rapid economic development and serve as the engine of growth – both in the formal and informal sectors – to address the most basic needs of women and the households they lead. The income they earn is vital to their households, providing food, healthcare, and education for their children. Women often, however, lack sufficient access to credit and other business resources necessary to invest in their enterprises and ensure sustained growth for their families and their communities.

Here too my government is providing support through a wide variety of activities, and again, let me share a few examples. We promote agricultural productivity for women farmers through assistance to the Women Farmers Advancement Network – a non-governmental, non-profit organization based in Kano and working across northern Nigeria. We provide technical assistance to microfinance institution partners in Edo and Bauchi States to provide credit and business development support to women in micro and small businesses. Women are also the primary beneficiaries of our Development Credit Authority program, which partners with local banks to ensure access to finance by providing loan guaranties for micro enterprise and agricultural activities.

And there are new ways on the horizon, such as gender budgeting, to help with empowerment. The U.S. is actively supporting gender budgeting, which is recognized as an important socio-economic tool for ensuring equity in the development process by addressing gender issues in public expenditures, and policy commitments.

Development is nothing without compassion. That is why I am especially proud of our support under the U.S. President's PEPFAR program that empowers women living with HIV/AIDS. We have a $15 billion HIV/AIDS program called PEPFAR helping women and orphans.

Women carry a disproportionate care-giving burden when family and community members become sick with AIDS or die from this disease. These burdens often fall on girls and young women, preventing them from obtaining an education and losing the potential for economic empowerment.
Our program addresses these issues and change lives for the better and forever as they ensure that women are able to lead productive lives, support their families and in the end decrease the number of children left orphaned in the society.

We must continue to work together so that the empowerment of women becomes the order of the day. I look forward to building upon the already firm foundation of partnership between our two great nations to advance these issues and provide more equality for women to participate fully in Nigeria's political, business and social sectors. I salute you as women today, I salute you as leaders today, and I salute the friendship and partnership between the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the people of the United States of America.
Thank you.