USAID supports development of women’s entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) supports the development of women’s entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan, USAID told Report.

USAID within the framework of its Private Sector Activity (PSA) Project, with the close participation of a Steering Committee consisting of leaders of business associations and organizations, developed the Women’s National Business Agenda (WNBA) white paper and started its implementation by presenting the document to the public in early November.

WNBA includes a set of reforms to advance the objectives of inclusive economic growth and women’s economic empowerment. WNBA offers concrete recommendations and policy solutions in three directions to create a more favorable business environment for women and to seek to remove the barriers they face in the workplace: supporting women in entrepreneurship; supporting women in the workforce; and developing gender-sensitive support mechanisms.

“Women are an important factor of change. Utilizing the potential of female entrepreneurs will be crucial for the sustainable and inclusive development of Azerbaijan. Support for women entrepreneurs is not only important from a social standpoint but also from an economic perspective. Achieving greater gender equality is particularly critical to improving the labor market. Entrepreneurship is also a clear opportunity to improve women’s economic independence”, said Michael Nehrbass, USAID mission director in Azerbaijan.