Remarks by Deputy Chief of Mission Virginia Blaser

DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION VIRGINIA BLASER
UWEAL/VITAL VOICES RECEPTION
KAMPALA, UGANDA
NOVEMBER 17, 2011

- The Honorable Rukia Isanga Nakadama, Minister of State for Gender and Cultural Affairs
- Ms. Jennifer Mwijukye, Chairperson of the Ugandan Women's Entrepreneurs Association Limited (UWEAL)
- Ms. Celena Green, the Africa Program Officer for Vital Voices
- Members of Parliament
- Businesswomen and Entrepreneurs
- Ladies and Gentlemen

Thank you for coming this evening.  We are so happy to partner with the Uganda Women's Entrepreneurship Association and Vital Voices' Africa Businesswomen’s Network on this event.  Both groups are doing impressive work here in Uganda to increase the number of women entrepreneurs and to strengthen women in business and society. 

I understand that this year's theme for the Corporate Ambassador's Program is "Empowering Women Entrepreneurs Through Networks," and that November is  the "Month of the Woman Entrepreneur" in Uganda and in East Africa.  This is good news for the U.S. Mission in Uganda as promoting women's economic participation is a priority for the American government.

All of you represent a truly vital force for driving economic growth and progress in the region. Women who are successful in business are also empowered to be leaders in their communities and countries. Women need to be represented at the policy-making table if the needs of their families, communities, and countries are to be fully addressed.

As your businesses grow, we know you will be voices for a climate that fosters innovation and prosperity. As your businesses grow, we know you will advocate with your leaders for a system that promotes greater opportunities for communication and trade.  As your businesses grow, we know you will speak out against corruption when you see it.  We know that as leaders in business you will also work to strengthen democratic institutions and civil society.  And by working together, you will not only grow your businesses, but also your nation.

Women entrepreneurs offer the people of Uganda great promise. The fact is that small and medium-sized enterprises drive economic growth and create jobs. This is true in my country, your country, and around the world.  Better still, it is a fact that women-owned enterprises often have a better growth rate and a better loan payback rate.  Best of all, women invest upwards of 90 percent of their income in their families and communities.  Women entrepreneurs are dedicated to the betterment of society.

But as many of you know, women’s success is often hindered by barriers that undermine their ability to start or expand their business.  Barriers like lack of access to markets, to training, mentors, and technology.  Women often confront corruption, discriminatory laws and regulations.  In some places around the world they lack the right to own property at all. And, of course, it is always difficult to balance the responsibilities of family and work.  And let us not forget the challenges to women's health - whether maternal mortality, which is staggering in Uganda, or the threat of gender based violence. 

Access to finance repeatedly comes up as the major challenge for women in business. This significant gender gap in access to finance is painfully acute as it affects what we might call “the missing middle” of the small and growing enterprise sector, a sector mostly made up of women.  We believe it is this very sector that has the greatest potential to generate growth and create jobs. That’s why my government is working to help women overcome obstacles to greater economic participation. We are hoping that through events like this, you will be better positioned as entrepreneurs.

The United States is deeply committed to elevating women to be equal participants - not only in the economic sphere - but also in pursuit of peace and security. We believe that the participation of women in peace-building and citizen security initiatives is essential to achieving sustainable peace and security.

Our commitment is embodied in President Obama's National Security Strategy, which states "countries are more peaceful and prosperous when women are accorded full and equal rights and opportunity. When those rights and opportunities are denied, countries often lag behind."

Each of you is helping to chart a path to a better tomorrow for yourselves and your families, your communities, and your countries. And in so doing you are also role models for young women who want to start their own business or move ahead in their careers.   We hope you will also share your wisdom and experiences with others, particularly young women in Uganda.

If you build a network of women leaders in business that spans the country, this region, and all of Africa, there will be no stopping you and no stopping the progress that can come to this part of the world.  We know that empowering women is one of the most effective and positive forces for reshaping the globe.  It is a simple fact that no country can get ahead if it leaves half its people behind.

I hope you have a productive and rewarding experience over course of this program, and in the months to come as you work together to build networks for women entrepreneurs. When women progress, everyone benefits: men and women, boys and girls. Thank you for all you will do and for your commitment, intelligence, perseverance, and hard work – your entrepreneurship. We have every confidence you will realize your dreams for a better tomorrow.

Secretary Clinton has been, and remains a fearless advocate for all of us.  Her words from Beijing in 1995 were never more true than they are today:

"What we are learning around the world is that if women are healthy and educated, their families will flourish. If women are free from violence, their families will flourish. If women have a chance to work and earn as full and equal partners in society, their families will flourish.

And when families flourish, communities and nations will flourish."

Thank you.