On November 17, 2024, Megan Bouldin, Chargé d'Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka, emphasized the critical role of women in Bangladesh's economic development during a ceremony celebrating the completion of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program by 90 women at BRAC University [601cebf8]. Bouldin announced a $30,000 grant for a business pitch competition among 140 participants, further highlighting the U.S. commitment to supporting women's economic empowerment in the region [601cebf8]. The AWE program, a U.S. Department of State initiative, focuses on empowering women from marginalized communities through a three-month course conducted in Bangla, which emphasizes sustainability and networking [601cebf8]. The event showcased products from the participants, underscoring their entrepreneurial skills and potential contributions to the economy [601cebf8].
This initiative aligns with broader efforts to support women's rights and economic resilience globally. For instance, the Alliance for Afghan Women’s Economic Resilience (AWER) aims to combat gender inequality in Afghanistan by promoting women's participation in the workforce, potentially benefiting the economy by an estimated $1 billion [dcd10915]. AWER utilizes resources from both public and private sectors to support its strategy, emphasizing the importance of women's active participation in global welfare through economic empowerment [dcd10915].
Furthermore, the AWE4Ukraine Summit, held from June 10-13, 2024, in Slovenia, aimed to empower Ukrainian women entrepreneurs affected by the war, highlighting the significance of women-led businesses in economic recovery [4cc2416b]. Notable participants included Esma Abdurakhmanova, a refugee who founded an eco-friendly skincare brand, and Olena Vales, who started a language school for children [4cc2416b].
In Turkmenistan, the first AWE program concluded with participants submitting their business proposals, marking a significant step in fostering women's entrepreneurship in the region [e3397f26]. AWE is a U.S. State Department initiative that provides women with the knowledge and networks necessary to start and grow successful businesses, contributing to a global community of over 25,000 AWE alumnae [e3397f26].
In a broader context, a recent commentary by Hadeil Ali from the Center for Strategic and International Studies highlights the importance of women's economic empowerment in U.S. foreign policy. The commentary notes that the Women's Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) Initiative, launched during President Trump's administration in February 2019, aimed to reach 50 million women by 2025. By 2019, the initiative had already reached 12 million women, with 2 million participating in workforce training and over 9,000 women-led businesses receiving $1.6 billion in loans [22194617]. President Biden has continued these efforts under the Gender Policy Council, emphasizing the ongoing significance of women's empowerment in shaping effective foreign policy [22194617].