KATHMANDU, Sept 9: Director of Nepal Republic Media Limited Shova Gyawali has been elected unopposed as the new president of the Federation of Women Entrepreneurs’ Association of Nepal (FWEAN). A 20th Annual General Meeting and the ninth General Convention of the FWEAN held in the capital on Friday elected a new executive committee of 27 members under the leadership of Gyawali.
The General Convention elected Darshana Shrestha as the first vice-president of the Federation, Sunita Vaidya Shrestha as the second vice-president, Basanti Pradhan as the third vice-president, and Mahalaxmi Shrestha as the fourth vice-president. Similarly, Kunnam Pokharel has been elected as the general secretary of the Federation, while Sumitra Palanchoke and Sabita Subedi have been elected as secretary and treasurer, respectively.
Since its establishment in 2002, the Federation has been working on advocacy, information dissemination, capacity building, and professional counseling for the economic empowerment of women entrepreneurs across the country.
Newly-elected President Gyawali stated that various activities are being carried out to develop and promote the business of women entrepreneurs all over the country in an inclusive manner to address the needs and challenges of women entrepreneurs. She also pledged to proceed in a more effective manner in the future. "The Federation has been debating and advocating for the social and economic empowerment of women and ensuring the rights of women entrepreneurs in the policy-making and decision-making process at the national and international levels," said Gyawali.
Clarifying the purpose of the project and activities to be conducted by the FWEAN in the future, she said, "We will take the initiative to conduct capacity development and necessary programs for women entrepreneurs in various districts." The FWEAN has been providing knowledge-based and skill-based training to enhance women's capacity. “We are ready to continue such programs in the future as well,” she further said, while adding that they are arranging digital marketing, economic efficiency, and branding activities for women entrepreneurs.
NRM Director Shova Gyawali elected President of FWEAN
During the program, Kunnam Pokharel, the treasurer of the Federation, presented the financial details of the Federation for Fiscal Year 2022/23. The financial report was discussed and approved in the general meeting.
The event was attended by various dignitaries, including Ramesh Rijal, Minister of Industry, Commerce, and Supply, Rekha Yadav, Member of the House of Representatives, and representatives from relevant ministries and departments working on women and entrepreneurship development.
In the conference, details were presented about the activities conducted under the project as well as the activities and achievements organized through various committees and sub-committees of the Federation.
The FWEAN plans to organize various events to mark its 20th anniversary. Among other things, it plans to publish a special edition of the Entrepreneur Magazine, organize a peace rally, and increase access of women entrepreneurs to various services of the Business Development Center. Industry, Commerce and Supply Minister Rijal stated that the contribution made by the Federation in the field of entrepreneurship development is unparalleled. He expressed the commitment of the government to support every program of the Federation.
The FWEAN also felicitated the best district union award for their works in supporting women entrepreneurs. FWEAN Kaski received first place, FWEAN Banke received second place, FWEAN Morang received third place, and FWEAN Solukhumbu Women received a consolation prize and certificate.
Additionally, the Federation awarded Alpana Raj Bhandari, an ordinary member of the Federation, with the best member award, while the best employee award was presented to Ramola Sthapit.
On the first day of the two-day workshop, newly-elected President Gyawali discussed the sixteenth national plan being prepared by the government and emphasized the importance of including economic issues affecting women entrepreneurs. National Planning Commission member Dr. Anita Dhungana Shah was present as the chief guest on the first day of the workshop. The workshop was held with the support of the newly appointed Country Director of UN Women, Patricia Fernandez.
On the second day, an orientation workshop was held on “Significance of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency” with support from the German Development Cooperation - GIZ and European Union Delegation to Nepal, under the Renewable Energy Efficiency Programme – Green Recovery and Energy Efficiency (REEEP-GREEN). In the workshop, more than 120 female entrepreneurs affiliated with FWEAN were oriented on the significance of advancing their businesses through renewable energy and energy efficiency.
During the workshop, Niru Rayamajhi Khatri, Immediate past President of FWEAN, and Dr. Marco Gemmer, Head of Cooperation - European Union Delegation to Nepal (EU-D), gave the welcoming remarks. Similarly, Dr. Sanjay Prasad Gorkhali, Program Component Manager of GIZ shared details about the REEEP-GREEN, Pashupati Prasad Khatri, Energy Advisor of GIZ presented on the significance of renewable energy, and Gyanendra Upadhyay, Senior Energy Efficiency Expert, presented on the significance of energy efficiency.
At the concluding session, Shova Gyawali - newly-elected President of FWEAN, Dr. Ranjan Prakash Shrestha – Senior Programme Manager of EU-D to Nepal, and Dr. Gorkhali – GIZ delivered the closing remarks.Various stakeholders and representatives from partner organizations working closely with FWEAN attended the event. The convention also saw participation of representatives of women's entrepreneurs' associations in the district, including founding members, members, former presidents, and advisory committee members of the FWEAN.
