At TradeSmart Consult, we are proud of our work in promoting inclusion and empowering women. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we reflect on the progress made and the work that still needs to be done to achieve gender equity. This year’s theme, “Invest In Women. Accelerate Progress” #InspireInclusion, resonates deeply with our values and mission.

We have seen firsthand the transformative power of investing in women. Through our work in the financial inclusion space, we have witnessed how providing women with access to financial services can empower them to start and grow their businesses, lifting themselves and their families out of poverty. We have also worked with different organizations, offering capacity building training and mentorship programs, and have seen the impact that these programs can have on women, enabling them to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

We believe that the time is now to act on our words. Invest in women if you would like to see and be part of the progress.

How can you Invest in Women?

Financial Inclusion: Providing women with access to financial services, such as credit, savings, and insurance, is crucial for their economic empowerment. This entails understanding exactly what women need and the challenges they face. Create products uniquely to solve their problems. By investing in financial inclusion, we can help women take control of their financial future and build a better life for themselves and their families.

Capacity Building and Mentorship: Offering training and mentorship programs will help women develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed in their careers and businesses. Have conversations to unlock the challenges women face in different sectors. Create round table conversations to help women overcome the barriers they face in male-dominated industries and break through the glass ceiling.

Supporting Women-led Enterprises: Investing in women-led enterprises can have a multiplier effect, benefiting not only the women themselves but also their families and communities. This is why it’s crucial that we invest in women. Women invest back into their communities creating the much needed progress. By providing women with the necessary resources and support, we can help them thrive and create positive change in their communities.

Advocacy and Policy Change: One of the biggest challenges women face are policies that don’t support or favor their growth financially and professionally. Advocating for policies that promote gender equity and women’s rights is essential for creating an enabling environment for women to succeed. We call on different organizations to start acting on their promises towards women and invest in their future. It’s time to invest in women if we want to see progress. Inspiring inclusion is about more than just creating opportunities for women; it is about changing mindsets and challenging stereotypes. It is about recognizing the value that women bring to the table and ensuring that they are given the opportunities they have earned.