EARLIER today, US Ambassador to Malaysia Brian McFeeters, deputy assistant secretary (DAS) for Policy in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, US Department of State, Rafik Mansour, and Malaysia’s Minister of Women, Family, and Community Development, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri jointly launched the inaugural Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) Regional Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
In conjunction with International Women’s Day (March 8), the AWE Regional Summit, March 7-9, brings together nearly 200 successful women entrepreneurs and business leaders from Brunei, Fiji, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
During the summit, participants exchange knowledge and best practices, expanded their capacity, and networked to foster growth, innovation, and sustainability. The summit will leverage US business expertise and technology to build business acumen and create stronger ties and networks among women entrepreneurs from the Indo-Pacific.
American and Malaysian business leaders and angel investors will guide participants on topics such as using technology to scale up business models, future-proofing businesses, and pitching and marketing to investors.
In his opening remarks, DAS Mansour said that AWE has empowered over 25,000 women entrepreneurs worldwide since its launch in 2019. From improving artisans’ livelihoods through digital marketing to facilitating access to mental health care, AWE alumni have demonstrated the importance of investing in women-led businesses to achieve sustainable growth across the region.
Nancy emphasised, “Together with the Women Entrepreneur Network Association (Wena), the AWE program has benefited many women entrepreneurs, providing them access to education and mentorship.
"I believe education is the key to lifting up women and providing them equal access and opportunities on the playing field. I look forward to learning more about the summit’s outcomes and how Malaysian women entrepreneurs here can continue to scale up their businesses and provide further avenues for more women to participate and achieve economic success.”
AWE Summit participant Irene Mositol, the founder of DumoWongi, a social enterprise in Sabah, observed, “AWE gave me the skills I needed to fulfill my vision of uplifting the livelihoods of other women in my community through my business in sustainable farming.
"I am excited to network with like-minded business leaders at the AWE Regional Summit and learn innovative ways to continue growing our businesses and bring change to our communities.”
In Malaysia, AWE is part of US Embassy Kuala Lumpur’s ongoing Wanita Empowered Campaign, which seeks to promote women’s economic empowerment through three pillars: improving access to education, advancing economic parity, and addressing barriers to equality.
To date, the AWE program has empowered over 150 Malaysian women entrepreneurs in partnership with the Women Entrepreneur Network Association (Wena) by providing them the skills to achieve their fullest economic potential. – The Vibes, March 7, 2023
