Women entrepreneurship is considered as a basis to economic growth due to its multiplier effects such as job creation, increase in labor force participation and uplifting families out of poverty and can contribute to achieving several SDGs, especially SDG 5. But many women entrepreneurs face challenges relating to lack of skill and knowledge on digital tools to expand their business. At the same time, they also face challenges to access finance, digital connectivity and networking with their potential buyers.

The ESCAP Subregional office for South and South-West Asia (ESCAP-SSWA) organized a discussion on addressing the digital divide for women in the subregion. The meeting identified several challenges, including a lack of digital skills, unequal access to technology, urban-rural disparities, and socio-cultural norms that hinder women's rights and their access to technology, particularly in entrepreneurship programs. A panel discussion will be organized as part of this training.

With an aim to facilitate and support women entrepreneurs, ESCAP-SSWA under the project “E-Commerce Capacity Building for Women-led MSMEs in South Asia” undertook a multifaceted approach towards empowering women entrepreneurs in South Asia in becoming part of new local, regional and international supply chains by using e-commerce and digital marketing tools. Under the project, ESCAP-SSWA in collaboration with UBUNTU conducted a series of virtual and in person trainings on e-commerce and digital marketing for around 2800 India women entrepreneurs.
 
This skill development programme by UNESCAP is being organized in collaboration with the Department of Commerce (DGFT), UBUNTU and LEXSHIP in Bengaluru on 10-11 July 2025. The skill development programme will focus on training women on how they can use digital tools for their economic empowerment, and at the same time will cover Training of Trainers component for select women.

The participants must bring the following for the training:
•    Laptop or smart phone with internet;
•    High resolution copy of their products, logo or business details;
•    Product content, if any.