eTrade for Women, an initiative by the UNCTAD e-commerce and digital economy programme, is expanding its capacity-building efforts in South Asia. From December 2 to 5, 25 women digital entrepreneurs will participate in the region’s first eTrade for Women masterclass in New Delhi, India, focused on unlocking opportunities for women-led digital businesses in South Asia.
The masterclass will bring together female digital leaders from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka across sectors like software development, digital marketing, fintech, and agritech. Organized by UNCTAD in collaboration with the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN (ERIA) and social entrepreneur Ajaita Shah, the masterclass will include policy dialogues, learning sessions, and networking opportunities. These sessions will equip participants with the skills and insights needed to scale their digital businesses.
The programme aims to address key challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, such as limited access to capital, complex regulations, and gender bias. Ajaita Shah, the first South Asian eTrade for Women advocate, emphasized the importance of building connections and creating a supportive ecosystem for female entrepreneurs.
Beyond the masterclass, the newly launched eTrade for Women Community for South Asia will provide a platform for women to share knowledge and collaborate.
Launched in 2019, the eTrade for Women initiative is part of the larger UNCTAD-led eTrade for All programme, which collaborates with 35 international organizations. The initiative, supported by key funding partners including Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland, empowers women entrepreneurs by combining gender equality, economic empowerment, and digital technologies to drive business growth.
Torbjörn Fredriksson, head of the e-commerce and digital economy programme at UNCTAD, emphasized that women entrepreneurs are essential drivers of innovation and economic resilience, particularly in the digital economy. Through the eTrade for Women initiative, UNCTAD aims to help women entrepreneurs scale their businesses and have a voice in shaping policies that promote inclusivity and shared prosperity.
