The Director of Programmes, Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, Emily Scott, has said sub-Saharan African economies lose nearly $100bn a year due to the gender gap in the labour market.
According to Scott, the Covid-19 crisis is worsening existing inequalities women entrepreneurs already face.
As a result, HerVenture and DHL, including local expert organisation like AWIEF, are partnering to support women entrepreneurs in South Africa and beyond, in order to close gender gap in economic participation.
The partnership will make available to women in South Africa for free, the foundation’s and HerVenture’s mobile learning app. The app is designed specifically for women who own micro, small and medium sized enterprise in low and middle income countries, to grow their business.
According to Chief Executive, DHL Express, sub-Saharan Africa, Hennie Heymans, “Equality and inclusion remain key priorities for us as an organisation, therefore our partnership with the CBFW is an important step in supporting women-owned businesses, as they are a vital component of economic growth, resulting in increased jobs which yield a greater impact within the communities they operate.”
“Women make up 58 per cent of Africa’s self-employed population, and through HerVenture these businesses will receive the necessary digital and technological skills development to future proof their businesses,” Heymans added.
HerVenture aims to reach at least 1,600 of these women entrepreneurs by the end of October this year.
