The Asia Foundation (TAF), sponsored by the US Department of State, celebrated the success of a three-year flagship initiative aimed at empowering female entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka’s Northern and Southern Provinces. The event, held on Monday, highlighted the culmination of a project focused on improving the economic wellbeing of 300 vulnerable and marginalized women, particularly in the startup sector as micro and small business (MSB) owners.
In partnership with the Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce (HDCC), Galle District Chamber of Commerce and Industries (GDCCI), and Jaffna Social Action Centre (JSAC), TAF worked across five districts to enhance female representation in business ownership. The project included technical training, financial assistance, mentoring, and networking opportunities, and over 100 women received grants to foster innovation and digital competency development.
TAF Sri Lanka Country Representative Dinesha desilva Wickramanayake emphasized the program’s contribution to gender equality and rural economic development. The project helped raise household incomes, with more women joining the workforce through MSBs. Additionally, participants developed skills in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and digital marketing, boosting their competitiveness and long-term sustainability.
The keynote speaker, Counsellor for Public Affairs Heidi Hattenbach, praised the initiative’s potential in fostering transparency and trust in businesses. She highlighted the importance of gender equality in the economic sector and the broader impact on the country’s future. The program’s focus on overcoming challenges such as access to capital, digital literacy, and cultural biases provided a roadmap for female entrepreneurs to thrive.
The Asia Foundation’s work supports gender equality, economic empowerment, and the sustainable growth of women-led businesses in Sri Lanka. A new phase of the project, “Becoming Export Ready,” will further facilitate market opportunities for these women on a global scale.