In a world striving for equality and inclusivity, initiatives empowering women and enhancing their economic participation are vital drivers of transformative change. Since 2021, the Women Welding the Workplace (WWW) project, a collaboration between Contact Base and the U.S. Consulate General Kolkata, has been driving transformative change by empowering women and enhancing their economic participation. With a focus on Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and the USA, WWW developed a sustainable regional network connecting industry experts, entrepreneurs, investors, and life-skill professionals.

At its core, the www.woment4economy.net platform has united over 400 women entrepreneurs and professionals, providing mentorship, skill development resources, and success stories. Through its cross-border, collaborative approach, WWW champions women’s leadership, fostering growth and inclusivity across nations.

Key Highlights:

#mPowerWomen@Business:

Research says first-generation women-led businesses face challenges regarding mentorship and regular guidance with running businesses. The Women Welding the Workplace (WWW) initiative launched a mentoring network for women-led businesses, connecting them with experts in business development, branding, export, and supply chain management. Events held in Guwahati, Kolkata, Dimapur, Siliguri, and Aizawl, empowered over 200 women entrepreneurs from diverse fields like food processing, handicrafts, and green energy participated and benefited.

Encouraging cross-border collaboration, the initiative brought together leading networks from India (AspireForHer, ICC-IWN, Shepreneur), Nepal (Federation of Women’s Entrepreneurship Association), and Bangladesh (Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce). These events fostered vital connections, strengthened communication, and promoted a unified regional network to address women’s economic challenges.

#Skills4Women@Work:
The Women Welding the Workplace (WWW) initiative prioritized skill development to address the gender gap in unconventional sectors. Through #MentoringMondays and #TrainingTuesdays, over 50 sessions were conducted with network entrepreneurs, led by industry experts. These sessions focused on essential skills, certifications, and training opportunities, inspiring women to enter non-traditional occupations and green businesses. The website and social media platforms regularly shared updates on skill-building programs, women-focused summits, and key initiatives to enhance women’s workforce participation. Explore the curated playlist showcasing these impactful sessions and discover resources for empowering women in the workplace. Have a look at the playlist.

#Media4Women@Work:

The Women Welding the Workplace (WWW) initiative engaged media professionals to amplify the stories of women leaders and challenge workplace gender biases. Through the #SheLeads series of Fireside Chats, prominent women leaders and entrepreneurs from India, Nepal, and Bangladesh were featured, showcasing their inspiring journeys. Workshops and campaigns focused on building inclusive narratives, and collaborating with media students to address gender biases in communication. Notably, students from The Heritage School brought fresh perspectives, contributing to a shift towards more equitable storytelling. Explore these impactful stories and updates on our Facebook page.

#Care4Women@Work:
Women Welding the Workplace (WWW) addressed the challenges of caregiving and unpaid work by advocating gender-sensitive well-being policies. Workshops with mental health and HR professionals offered tools for self-care, stress management, and effective communication, fostering growth for women professionals. Well-being experts Kimberly M. Moore and Ednesha Saulsbury from the USA mentored women entrepreneurs in Kolkata and Dimapur, further strengthening this supportive ecosystem. Mail us to get exclusive access to the document.

Here is a glimpse of the concluding event #RisingWomen.