The book launch-cum-Wenn bazaar, celebrating the journey of woman entrepreneurs of Nagaland was held recently at the Sky Garden in Chumoukedima District.
The Communication Expert of Project Her&Now and a GIZ Representative – Sukriti Somvashi, said that the Indo-German Development Cooperation is implemented 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.
“Currently, India’s female labor force participation stands at 19%. Similarly, women in India manage less than 20% of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). There is a lot to gain by increasing the share of women in the workforce,” – she said.
According to estimates, equal participation of women in the labor market would increase India’s GDP by 27%.
Sukriti added that “Entrepreneurship is a significant opportunity to increase women’s participation in the economy, and 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.
She said that “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,” adding the prevalence of blockages and shortcomings when it comes to supporting women entrepreneurship.
“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 continued. She urged entrepreneurs and women to build one’s social structure.
The programme 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, 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.
