AWESOME

 

Location within Country
Sindh, Punjab, KPK, Baluchistan

Name of Associated Agencies
USAID, CIDA, RWEN


Context

AWESOME is an association of women entrepreneurs, created in the year 2000. AWESOME functions as an independent body, with overall secretariat and advisory support services being provided by ECDI. It has five chapters across Pakistan. These chapters are located in Karachi, Hyderabad and Thatta (Sindh), Multan (Punjab), Quetta (Balochistan) and Peshawar (NWFP) and each of the provincial chapters of AWESOME maintains a separate secretariat/office. The General Body conducts semi-annual provincial meetings to share ideas, discuss issues and to take decisions.

AWESOME is also part of Regional Women’s Economic Network (RWEN), a network of women’s associations from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan (PAT) working together for sustainable, socio-economic advancement of member entrepreneurs.


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Objectives of the project

Its goal is to promote an integrated approach that recognizes the specific needs of women entrepreneurs in various regions and brings them together for learning from each other and for seeking solutions to a wide range of issues that directly affect them.

The objectives of the Association are to provide a platform for women entrepreneurs’ for experience sharing where they can discuss key business issues and seek solutions, especially from successful entrepreneurs about business management including information on high quality input supplies, design, technology and markets; jointly acquire business development services for network members; participate in national and international exhibitions and trade fairs; and cooperate with each other and ensure display of products at buying houses owned by some of the members.

Primary benefits from acquiring membership of the Association includes facility of bulk purchasing of input supply and production marketing, access to buying houses for display of product to get bulk orders and access to local and international exhibitions.