eTrade for Women, an initiative by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), is expanding its capacity-building efforts in South Asia with an inaugural masterclass titled “Growth and Impact: Unlocking Opportunities for Women-Led Digital Businesses in South Asia.” The event will take place from December 2 to 5 in New Delhi, India, gathering 25 women digital entrepreneurs from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. These women represent various sectors, including software development, digital marketing, fintech, and agritech.
The masterclass is organized by UNCTAD in collaboration with the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and social entrepreneur Ajaita Shah, the first eTrade for Women advocate appointed for South Asia. The event will feature a policy dialogue involving digital entrepreneurs and government representatives, discussing how public policies can create a more inclusive digital economy in the region.
Participants will engage in learning and networking sessions designed to provide practical insights and essential skills to help scale their digital businesses. The masterclass aims to address key challenges faced by women digital entrepreneurs, including limited access to capital, complex regulations, and gender bias.
Ajaita Shah emphasized the importance of empowering women entrepreneurs, stating, “It’s not just about skills; it’s about building connections and creating a supportive ecosystem.” She further noted, “The eTrade for Women masterclass is a unique opportunity for women leaders to learn, grow, and collaborate with peers and experts, driving transformative change in their businesses and communities.”
Following the masterclass, the newly launched eTrade for Women Community for South Asia will offer a platform for knowledge sharing and information exchange among female digital entrepreneurs in the region.
Launched in 2019 by UNCTAD, the eTrade for Women initiative is part of the larger eTrade for All program, which is supported by 35 international organizations. Key funding contributors include Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Torbjörn Fredriksson, head of UNCTAD’s e-commerce and digital economy program, stated, “Women entrepreneurs are key drivers of innovation and economic resilience, especially in the digital economy. Through the eTrade for Women initiative, we are not only helping them scale their businesses but also ensuring their voices are heard in shaping policies that foster inclusivity and shared prosperity.”
