Live Tweet Chat on Women’s Economic Empowerment

Today, The Asia Foundation joined eight partner organizations for a day-long tweet chat focusing on different aspects of women’s economic empowerment. The robust discussion was in preparation for the upcoming Women’s Economic Empowerment Global Learning Forum on May 23-25 in Bangkok. The Forum, hosted by The SEEP Network and in collaboration with Forum Partners, will bring together leading stakeholders in the field of women’s economic empowerment to facilitate dialogue, build global learning connections, and promote effective policy and practice to address the needs of vulnerable women around the world. The Asia Foundation will chair a peer-learning panel that will feature staff and partners from China, Malaysia, Colombia, and the U.S. for a session titled “Leveraging Economic Opportunities for Disadvantaged Women Entrepreneurs in Asia and Latin America.”

Here are highlights from the Tweet Chat. Follow #WEEForum2017 for updates on the Forum.

Ready to roll! #WEEForumChat starts 8 AM tomorrow morning – #WEEForum2017 #WomensEconomicEmpowerment pic.twitter.com/tPmMNIlAuH

— The SEEP Network (@TheSEEPNetwork) May 2, 2017

#WEEForumChat Q1. Who are disadvantaged women entrepreneurs and why do they need extra support?

— The Asia Foundation (@Asia_Foundation) May 3, 2017

A1. In Bangladesh, rural women often lack freedom of movement, severely limiting their ability to start/grow businesses. #WEEForumChat pic.twitter.com/moMk0i9CYP

— Liz Romanoff Silva (@LizRomanoff) May 3, 2017

A2: Women #entrepreneurs face many gender-based barriers, lack of access to finance is a big one! #WEEForumChat https://t.co/78JSo2D2RT

— Cultural Practice (@CP4Dev) May 3, 2017

Yes, role models can make all the difference for women entrepreneurs & for changing community attitudes, esp male gatekeepers!#WEEForumChat https://t.co/CIpISJVQsH

— Eileen Pennington (@EilsPenn) May 3, 2017

A3. In #Mongolia, a women’s business center provides women entrepreneurs in most need with skills & builds their networks #WEEForumChat pic.twitter.com/ALVhuEZRne

— The Asia Foundation (@Asia_Foundation) May 3, 2017

Think about minority, disabled, rural women & what tools could make them successful #WEEForumChat https://t.co/zk1pF9kme3

— The SEEP Network (@TheSEEPNetwork) May 3, 2017

A5: Be aware of social context & how it varies. Tactics: gender workshops or women training the men on new resources, etc. #WEEForumChat https://t.co/4jRXwgNZHl

— Cultural Practice (@CP4Dev) May 3, 2017

Women’s access to technology, advocacy and leadership skills critical to their engagement as economic actors #WEEForumChat @Asia_Foundation https://t.co/af0eKzcfGP

— Jane Sloane (@janeintheworld) May 3, 2017

Flexible work hours, telework, paid family leave are factors for retention of women in workforce #WEEForumChat https://t.co/K4BfPH4wB7

— The Asia Foundation (@Asia_Foundation) May 3, 2017

A3 By partnering w/ private sector to develop mobile banking service to rural women-led enterprises. #weeforumchat https://t.co/OGHn7HOzyj pic.twitter.com/SmIO7jrwGK

— The Asia Foundation (@Asia_Foundation) May 3, 2017

Thanks to all for an excellent #WEEForumChat! Looking forward to chairing session on disadvantaged women entrepreneurs at #WEEForum2017. pic.twitter.com/KD8IuHeDMM

— The Asia Foundation (@Asia_Foundation) May 3, 2017