Key Issues
Businesswomen serve as role models for other women as they overcome traditional obstacles as women and small business owners, spearheading a process of cultural change in their communities. The first award ceremony will take place in Accra, Ghana, on 21 April 2008 during UNCTAD XII.
Criteria
The award is designed to honour women business owners and entrepreneurs who have developed an innovative business idea that generates jobs and income growth in a developing country and who have benefited from the business development services of Empretec centres in their respective countries.
Nominations
The award ceremony is the culmination of a nomination process that started in June 2007. The shortlisted entrepreneurs, listed below, run innovative, thriving businesses ranging from small handicrafts and industrial food processing to garments, hotels and web portals.
Semi-finalists:
- Elba Rosa Torrado (Argentina)
- Dédé Léa Edith Medji (Benin)
- Paola Borges Barcellos Tucunduva (Brazil)
- Messeret Belihu (Ethiopia)
- Augustine E. Hammond (Ghana)
- Pauly Apea-Kubi (Ghana)
- Irene Bacchus (Guyana)
- Sana Zaal Burgan (Jordan)
- Sapphira Nyabunwa (Uganda)
- Emelda Nyasha Nyamupingidz (Zimbabwe)
A panel of experts designated by UNCTAD will select three finalists, who will be invited to attend the Women in Business Award ceremony to be held during UNCTAD XII.
The UNCTAD Secretary-General, Mr Supachai Panitchpakdi, will present the prizes to the winner and the two runners-up.