The inaugural BRICS Women’s Entrepreneurship Forum, hosted by the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance (WBA), took place in Moscow from June 2-4, 2024. The event gathered over 300 delegates from 30 countries, focusing on empowering women entrepreneurs and fostering economic collaboration within the BRICS bloc.
Nonkululeko Mantula, Communications Chairwoman of the South African branch of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance, spoke to Sputnik Africa about the forum’s significance. Mantula emphasized that the BRICS WBA provides an essential platform for advocating truth and transparency, countering misinformation from Western sources. She highlighted the need for media practitioners in the Global South to voice their realities without bias, leveraging BRICS as a platform for unfiltered expression.
Mantula also noted that BRICS represents a crucial opportunity for the Global South to break free from Western economic and geopolitical influences. She stressed that the bloc’s focus on local currencies and commodities strengthens economic sovereignty and supports sustainable growth.
Addressing identity and unity, Mantula urged individuals from BRICS nations to embrace their cultural heritage. She praised the bloc for providing a platform that supports diverse voices and fosters collaboration across cultures. Her message underscored the importance of BRICS in challenging existing norms and promoting economic and social change.
Mandas Marikanda, CEO of Zimbabwean Women’s Micro-Finance Bank, shared insights into her organization and its alignment with BRICS values. Established in 2018, the Women’s Bank aims to promote gender equality and provide financial support to women in Zimbabwe. Marikanda highlighted the bank’s collaborative approach and its role in empowering women through microfinance. She also criticized Western sanctions, noting their detrimental effects on ordinary people and advocating for collaboration with BRICS nations to overcome these challenges.
Kutemba Konga, chairwoman of the BRICS WBA’s Zambia chapter, discussed the forum’s role in facilitating knowledge exchange and promoting women’s economic participation. She emphasized the value of BRICS expertise in helping developing economies and enhancing business opportunities for women.
Anna Nesterova, head of the Russian chapter of BRICS WBA, revealed the organization’s goal of increasing women’s entrepreneurial participation within the bloc. She noted that the WBA aims to create new role models and enhance women’s economic autonomy, fostering a supportive environment for female entrepreneurs.
Nigest Haile, Founder and Executive Director of the Centre for Accelerated Women’s Economic Empowerment, echoed Nesterova’s sentiments. Haile stressed the importance of investing in women as a means to drive economic growth and urged governments to support women through access to finance, training, and resources.
Tsakani Masia, Queen of South Africa’s Ha Masia, Venda Nation, emphasized the transformative potential of women-led economic initiatives. She highlighted the forum’s role in fostering collaboration and learning among women from different backgrounds, asserting that empowering women can drive national economic progress.
The BRICS Women’s Business Alliance is dedicated to promoting women’s entrepreneurship and increasing their involvement in economic activities across the BRICS nations. The Moscow forum exemplified the alliance’s commitment to advancing women’s roles in shaping a more inclusive and dynamic global economy.
