Digital sutra for empowering women entrepreneurs

A national daily published a report on 21 March 2023, shedding light on the endeavors of women entrepreneurs from Mustang, who were venturing into digital marketing for the promotion and expansion of their businesses. It offered valuable insights into the current state of internet access in Nepal and women entrepreneurs’ growing interest in digital marketing for the expansion of their businesses through digital platforms. Talking with the author, many women entrepreneurs from various regions of the country shared that digital knowledge, skills in digital marketing, and the use of social media like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook are essential to run and sustain businesses in this day and age. The global impact of Covid-19 has created a new paradigm for digital entrepreneurship, and women entrepreneurs in Nepal have also found themselves riding this wave, utilizing digital platforms to market and promote their businesses. Various initiatives and organizations are working to support women digital entrepreneurs in Nepal. These include business incubators, accelerators, and entrepreneurship programs specifically designed for women. These programs provide mentorship, training, access to networks, and financial support to help women succeed in the digital realm. Tourism Entrepreneurs Women Association Nepal (TEWAN) and the Federation of Women Entrepreneurs' Associations of Nepal (FWEAN), with support from development partners, have been providing support to women entrepreneurs through ‘Digitalization of Women Entrepreneurs’ Businesses’. These organizations have been providing support, albeit on a piecemeal basis. Digital entrepreneurship has brought numerous benefits for women in Nepal by empowering them to overcome traditional barriers and participate actively in economic activities. Social media platforms have provided these entrepreneurs an opportunity to expand their market from their hometown to district, province, and to the Center. Using online marketplaces, they can reach customers beyond their local communities and expand their customer base. Digital entrepreneurship has brought flexibility in timing as well as the possibility to work from home, enabling women to balance their entrepreneurial pursuits with family responsibilities, creating a better work-life balance. Furthermore, it has encouraged women with small capital to start their own businesses, which has also brought innovation. In this way, women entrepreneurs can leverage affordable technology, such as smartphones and internet connectivity, to establish and run their ventures at a lower cost, reducing financial as well as entry barriers. In Nepal, digital entrepreneurship has provided an opportunity for women to develop skills, set up business networks and empower themselves. With women able to run their own businesses from home and make some money, their independence has gotten a boost. Considering these facts, the strategic use of digital entrepreneurship by women has a big potential in Nepal. Women digital entrepreneurship is not only a matter of concern for urban areas but also for villages. Increased access to the internet in Nepal has already provided a solid foundation for women entrepreneurship. Skill and support on the use of technology is important for promoting women digital entrepreneurs, as the entrepreneurs from Mustang have shown. Relevant government initiatives can be instrumental in promoting local products, utilizing local skills and giving the local economy a shot in the arm. Moreover, civil society and media advocacy for women digital entrepreneurs is crucial for creating an enabling environment for women's digital ventures and addressing the digital gender divide.