Siliguri: U.S. Consulate Kolkata, Contact Base host workshop to empower women entrepreneurs

The event is a part of the project, "Women Wielding the Workplace," a U.S. Consulate Kolkata-led initiative to develop support networks for enabling greater participation of women in the workforce in South Asia with a focus on India, Nepal and Bangladesh since 2021.

This is the fourth meeting of the project this year after Guwahati, Dimapur and Kolkata.

The website www.women4economy.net provides information on networking opportunities, skill development and resources for women leaders and highlights success stories.

In his address during the inaugural session virtually, Deputy Director of the American Center in Kolkata Juan Clar said, "The United States is a nation built by entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship is at the heart of the American spirit. Our commitment to the initiative Women Wielding the Workplace” demonstrates the U.S. government's unwavering dedication to promoting gender equality and economic development worldwide. Through this project, the U.S. contributes to women’s economic empowerment but also create ripples of positive change that extend to families, communities, and the region at large."

Ananya Bhattacharya, Director of Contact Base said, “The region with its unique landscapes, diverse cultures and rich biodiversity offers unique entrepreneurial opportunities. Promotion of women led businesses like food, home stays, cultural tourism, agri-tourism, organic farming, renewable energy, unique regional crafts can bring about transformative change."

More than sixty women entrepreneurs, early-stage women led start-ups and women from self-help groups from Siliguri, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Sikkim and East Nepal participated in the event. They got the opportunity to interact and network with business experts, mentors, and industry leaders, shared their business challenges, got support in business strategy and also showcased their products and services. There were sessions to build skills in strategy development and digital marketing. Experts in interior design, sustainable tourism and social businesses provided guidance to the women-led businesses who pitched their businesses in the workshop for mentoring support.

At the event, there were representatives from the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) North Bengal, Indian Chamber of Commerce, incubators such as Sikkim Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (SEED), i4Mentors Foundation, and academic institutions such as North Bengal University, Federation of Women Entrepreneurs’ Association of Nepal (FWEAN).