Microsoft Kuwait, in collaboration with Women Cultural and Social Society (WCSS), has launched “Aspire Woman”, an initiative designed to empower women entrepreneurs. It aims to provide women entrepreneurs with the skills and techniques that will enable them to fully realise their economic potential, and that will allow them to benefit from networking and mentoring relationships that foster business success.
Aspire Women is based on four main pillars:
- Encourage young women leaders in the technology industry
- Foster the growth of women entrepreneurs
- Increase the employability of young women graduates
- Increase the participation of young women in the community
Microsoft and WCSS will host a women’s empowerment event under the title ‘Aspire Woman: The Power Within’, and will be attended by women from across age groups. A number of young, successful Kuwaiti women entrepreneurs: Hassa Al Humaidi, Sarah Al Nafisi, Mona Mkhzim, Nouf Hussain, and Bodoor Al Qassar, from various sectors will be panellists. They will share experiences about their entrepreneurial journey and the obstacles they overcame, and give advice to aspiring entrepreneurs. A presentation will be conducted by Eng. Fares Al Enezi Small and Medium Businesses Manager - Manpower and Government Restructuring Program, which will include advice on how to start a business.
The Microsoft presentation will be about how IT can help a business flourish, with a session on Office 365, and also speak about the ‘Aspire Woman’ initiative and other Microsoft programmes such as Bizspark, which provides technology, support, visibility, and a community to promising start-ups and entrepreneurs at no charge.
Commenting on the initiative, Charles Nahas, Microsoft Kuwait General Manager, said: “At Microsoft, we are committed to fostering a culture of Entrepreneurship and encouraging female talent within the IT and Business industry. Out technology innovation such as Cloud and Devices provides entrepreneurs with the tools they need to gain competitive edge and as a result, develop their business. We are seeing a surge in entrepreneurship in Kuwait and I am very excited by what the Aspire Women program has to offer this growing platform, by inspiring young female entrepreneurs who can positively impact the Kuwaiti economy.”
“This is a very important step for women, and we thank Microsoft for their initiative aimed at supporting and empowering young women across the Arab World, and helping them realise their full potential through training, mentoring and the creation of a women’s network to reduce the gender gap” said Lulwa Saleh Al Mulla, Chairperson of the Board and Head of Social Programmes, from Kuwait’s Women’s Cultural and Social Society.
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