MetLife Foundation & Women Act jointly Launch Program to Develop Women Entrepreneurs in Nepal

MetLife Foundation is partnering with Women Act Nepal to train and upskill more than 5,000 women entrepreneurs from marginalized and vulnerable communities in Nepal.

With this program, MetLife Foundation and Women Act aim to help facilitate financial literacy, market linkages, and leadership opportunities that can help drive growth and continuous innovation for women entrepreneurs. The project will be implemented in nine local governments from six districts in Bagmati, Madhesh, Sudurpaschim, and Lumbini provinces. 

While female entrepreneurship has been prospering in Nepal due to increased government subsidies, microcredits and improving socio-economic conditions, challenges such as limited mobility, high illiteracy rates, and a lack of business skills and market knowledge still hinder business owners.

Working with MicroSave Consulting, MetLife Foundation and Women Act will focus on digital intervention and skills transfer for women entrepreneurs. They will be familiarized with e-commerce and online transactions through digital sales and financial literacy training, as well as business model revamping. An introduction to government-funded programs, policies, microfinance, and insurance schemes will also be provided. At the same time, they will get help to develop Community of Practice networks and mobilized to effectively share best practices, tools, challenges, and innovative products with each other. Social media platforms will also be used to boost connectivity and resource sharing among the 5000 women participants.

Mr. Nirmal Kajee Shrestha, Vice President and General Manager of MetLife Nepal, said: "This important work with the MetLife Foundation and Women Act is part of MetLife’s commitment to helping our communities build confidence in the future. We are contributing to developing women entrepreneurs in Nepal by providing them opportunities to upskill, access various digital markets, and share their knowledge with fellow business owners from different backgrounds.”