A recent workshop aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs was conducted by the University of the South Pacific’s Graduate School of Business, led by Dr. Avanish Shukla. The event, titled “Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Policy, Profit and Digital Power,” attracted 20 participants and focused on enhancing financial literacy among women in Fiji.
Dr. Shukla emphasized the importance of understanding financial movements, advocating that many financially disadvantaged women often struggle with tracking their expenses and revenues. He pointed out that a lack of awareness about pertinent policies, difficulty in marketing their products, and issues differentiating personal and economic transactions hinder many women entrepreneurs from reaching their full potential.
The workshop, held at the MBA Conference Room of USP’s Statham Campus, aimed to address these challenges by teaching practical solutions, including how to maintain cashbooks for tracking financial inflows and outflows, as well as simple marketing techniques. Dr. Shukla noted the necessity of simplifying financial processes for smaller organizations, with more complex procedures required as businesses grow.
Nitika Singh, acting general manager of Business Assistance Fiji (BAF), collaborated with the USP for the event, highlighting that empowering women not only drives individual business growth but contributes positively to families and communities, thereby strengthening Fiji’s economy.
This initiative aligns with broader efforts across Fiji focusing on bolstering women-led businesses through financial education and opportunities, similar to other recent workshops organized by BAF and the Fiji Development Bank. For instance, recent sessions emphasized bookkeeping and financial management skills as vital for sustainable business practices and community development.
Dr. Shukla concluded that there are numerous opportunities for financial growth, urging women to shift their perspectives and leverage the resources available to them. The collective push toward financial literacy showcases a hopeful trajectory, indicating that with the right support, women entrepreneurs can significantly impact the economy and foster community resilience.