Ambassador' speaking notes at the International Women’s Day Commemoration Event on 19th March 2024

Ambassador' speaking notes at the International Women’s Day Commemoration Event on 19th March 2024

Event hosted by Ambassador of Denmark in Tanzania and the Tanzanian Startup Association (TSA)

Good morning and a very warm welcome to the Danish Residence. And welcome to this very important event co-hosted with the Tanzanian Startup Association to commemorate International Women’s Day 2024, karibuni sana!

The theme this year ‘invest in women: accelerate progress’ is a reminder that the gender gap persists globally. According to the Global Gender Gap index 2023, it will take at least another 130 years to achieve gender parity globally! 130 years!!

We are very happy to host you to day. To provide an on open and honest space, where we can all learn and grow. Appreciate where we are, and engage on how to move further and support each other in the process. I have been looking forward to meeting you all and to listen. And possibly contribute a little from my own lived experiences.
Research tells us that that one crucial challenge in achieving gender equality relates to financial/economic empowerment. All evidence shows that when women become financially independent – or at least begin making their own money – equality increases and the women get a better chance to decide over their own lives.This is of course only one factor. Tradition, cultural norms and the structure of society also have an effect on gender equality. But economic empowerment is crucial. Evidence also points to a positive effect the other way around: Gender equality is good for the economy! So – to use an old saying that never grows old, at least not for me – working towards gender equality is not only the right thing to do. It is also the smart thing to do. So in short, it is right and it is smart to support feminist change makers. Right and smart to support you!

This event is an excellent opportunity to celebrate female change makers, embarking on journey to take over the private sector. The start-up of women-led businesses is good for gender equality. And it is good for economic growth. Congratulations. Hongera sana! With the presence of 10 female start up founders, we have the right foundation for fruitful discussions on crucial issues to ensure gender equality improvements in the sector and hear best lessons learnt.

A healthy stream of start-ups is a pre-requisite for a dynamic economy. And of course women should be included. The most productive start-ups within a start-up cohort bring novel products, processes and ideas into the market that are a crucial source of innovation.Two defining characteristics of most early-stage enterprises are that they are young and small. These attributes result in a number of common challenges as entrepreneurs seek to establish and grow their businesses - Notably:

- Access to finance;

- Gaps in entrepreneurship skills and capabilities;
- Access to networks and
- Cultural attitudes.

Under our Business Development programme, the Embassy has had a special fund allocated for women and youth, which facilitated financing options, innovations and technologies targeting young entrepreneurs and women-owned enterprises. We have also supported women in Agriculture through the (Private Agriculture Sector Support) PASS program that provides credit guarantees to small and middle-sized agri-businesses.

For decades, Denmark has combatted the challenges of gender inequality . It is the right and the smart thing to do. Remember! All parts of society benefits from gender equality. We need having the entire population as part of the equation that is socioeconomic development, in any country, all over the world, in Tanzania and in Denmark.

Asanteni sana.