Book launch-cum-Wenn bazaar, celebrating the journey of woman Entrepreneurs in Nagaland (WENN) programme was held on 22nd October 2022 at the Sky Garden, 7th milestone, Chumoukedima.
Sukriti Somvashi, Communication Expert, Project Her&Now, GIZ Representative said that Project Her&Now is an Indo-German Development Cooperation project implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development in partnership with the Government of India, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
The project had been initiated based on the fact that currently, India's female labor force participation stands at 19%. Similarly, less than 20% of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises in India is led by women. There is a lot to gain by increasing the share of women in the workforce, According to estimates, equal participation of women in the labor market would increase India's GDP by 27%. Entrepreneurship is one important opportunity to increase women's participation in the economy and to realize India's growth potential.
Guest Speaker Lithrongla G Sangtam, IAS (Rtd) said women are the backbone of the economy in Nagaland but they can't progress without networking. 'The hardships that woman entrepreneurs go through are visible but we do not know or realize their needs, be it in the infrastructure need or the financial support, she said there are blockages and shortcomings when it comes to supporting women entrepreneurship.
She also stated that entrepreneurs have not been focused and have not realized their strength as almost everyone was just following the crowd and trend. She said “We Nagas focus only on being a retailer and don't know the market of wholesale. Unless we know the commercial, we can't be called entrepreneurs," she said. The former bureaucrat lamented that the Naga society is free and open but there are blockages from the society and families when it comes to women entrepreneurship. She urged the entrepreneurs and women to build one's social structure.
The programme was chaired by Sumiho Aye, Head Strategist-WENN and Founder of Grassroots Aspirations. Closing remarks by Nengneigthem Hengna, Executive Secretary, WENN. Director of HM Pvt. Ltd. Runway India. Which was followed by the Inaugural of WENN Bazaar by Stephanie Mumenthaler, Advisor, Project Her&Now The book also features two Naga women entrepreneurs – Vekuvolu Dozo and Nengeithem Hengna at the WENN book.
(Limatoshi, IA Dimapur)
