Ntsebeng Motsoeli
MASERU — Business women in Maseru say lack of information and resistance to technology disadvantages viability of business.
The women entrepreneurs were speaking on Friday during a social dialogue on how they can improve their businesses. The event was to celebrate the Month of the Woman Entrepreneur in Africa.
The workshop was organised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), a United Nations arm that deals with labour issues.
“Women are so intimidated by gadgets. They shy away from technology and this causes some barriers. Business cannot improve without proper use of technology,” said Maleshoane Moea, an entrepreneur.
“Technology will help us to network, market our products or business, acquire the latest information and to research. Without technology business will be outdated and it will eventually collapse,” Moea said.
The programme seeks to promote the role of women’s entrepreneurship in national development by recognising their potentials and achievements, including those with disabilities, in generating employment and incomes.
It also aims to showcase business women as role models and give them opportunity to advocate in issues that are relevant to them.
The programme also seeks to renew the commitment of stakeholders towards the promotion of women in business and raise critical issues of gender equality by creating an enabling environment for small businesses develop.
Mahlapane Fana, International Labour Organisation (ILO) national project officer, said it is disturbing that business women in the country do not have associations.
“Women entrepreneurs do not have associations. That means they are not represented in the making of laws and other strategic planning meetings. Women need to come forward so that their voices are heard,” Fana said.
Limpho Maema from the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) said the Minister of Gender, Youth, Sports, and Recreation, ’Mathabiso Lepono, had shown concern that there were some shortcomings with women entrepreneurship in Lesotho.
“It has been a worrying factor for the minister of gender that women are not well represented in business.
“She is doing all she can to get help for women to have all they need to run successful businesses,” Maema said.
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