CSR/WEPs Forum and Expo: Promoting Women’s Empowerment in Business
As part of the Project on the Reform and Dissemination of texts of laws favorable to Female Entrepreneurship, the Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Congo (A.FE.E.CO) in partnership with UN Women organized a Forum and a CSR/WEPs Expo. This event, which took place from August 10 to 11 at the Rotana Hotel, was an opportunity to highlight the principles of women’s empowerment in the business world, as well as corporate social responsibility (CSR ).
During the second day of the forum, several renowned speakers took the floor, including representatives of companies such as Vlisco RDC, Glencore, BA consulting, GIE Global Business and CFAO. They shared their experiences and practices in empowering women within their organizations.
AFEECO, organizer of the event, recalled the importance of training on the Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs) and CSR for women entrepreneurs. These principles seek to promote gender equality by encouraging equal leadership, treating men and women equitably, respecting human rights and non-discrimination, ensuring health and worker safety, promoting women’s education and professional development, implementing women’s empowerment practices in business development, supply chain and marketing, promoting equality through initiatives communities and publicly measuring and reporting on progress towards gender equality.
The Director of UN Women stressed the importance of this event and the implementation of WEPs to promote women’s empowerment. He also highlighted the crucial role of SMEs in the national economy, especially in promoting equitable development and providing more economic opportunities for women and young people.
The Minister of Gender also took the floor to reaffirm the DRC government’s commitment to women entrepreneurs, particularly through the Support Project for the Development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (PADMPME). This project aims to support the growth of MSMEs and create employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for young people and women.
On the sidelines of the forum, the Minister of Communication and Media baptized the first directory of women entrepreneurs in Kinshasa, thus highlighting the women who actively contribute to the economic development of the region.
This CSR/WEPs Forum and Expo was therefore an opportunity to highlight good practices in terms of women’s empowerment in the business world and to raise awareness among economic actors of the importance of CSR.