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"Do business as a woman", Majlinda Bregu initiates the creation of a regional network for women entrepreneurs in the Western Balkans

"Do business as a woman", Majlinda Bregu initiates the creation of a

The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), under the direction of the Secretary General, Majlinda Bregu, will present on March 11 in Tirana, the establishment of the "Regional Network of Women Entrepreneurs of the Western Balkans," Women who Launch - "Do business as a woman" , aimed at economic empowerment of women, as an important mission in the efforts for the recovery of the Western Balkans.

Women who Launch will bring together a number of women in business from across the region and will also serve as an opportunity to get to know the 2021 Women Entrepreneurs of the Western Balkans.

The main goal of the "Western Balkans Regional Network of Women in Entrepreneurship" is to increase partnerships and empower women and girls economically, spark debate on creating an inclusive environment and respond to the challenges and needs of women entrepreneurs across the region, and in all key production links in the Common Regional Market.

Exactly three years ago, on March 11, the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) launched the (WE) campaign aimed at Empowering Women in Entrepreneurship in the Western Balkans. WE started with a video of Nada Markovic, a pioneer of the first women's cooperative in Bosnia and Herzegovina. And, as we promised then, we went on throughout the region and told the stories of many inspiring women in entrepreneurship in the region, such as Arijana, Iris, Martha, Blerta, Our Lady, Daklea, Uta, Klodiana, and Irena; followed by the regional activities of our organization for launching the processes of empowerment of women in business, especially young people. The establishment of the Regional Network of Women Entrepreneurs of the Western Balkans is one of the concrete activities in this regard.

The economic empowerment of women is essential to efforts to revitalize the Western Balkans. Only half of women in the Western Balkans are economically active, compared to 70% of men. The employment rate of women in our region is 41.6% while that of men is 59.7%. The unemployment rate for girls is 39%. The percentage of women in senior and middle management positions in the region ranges from 17.4% to 41.3%, and only 15.3% of firms in the Western Balkans are managed by women. On average, only 1 in every 5 firms in BP is owned or co-owned by women. If women were to be more involved in business, the GDP of our region could have an additional increase of 5% of GDP. The largest economic growth of our region is deeply related to the larger number of women in the labor market.

The key to unlocking the economic potential of this region is to encourage and support women to be an active part of the labor market and in entrepreneurship.