SESRIC participated in the capacity building programme on ‘Young Women Entrepreneurs as Drivers of SDGs’, which was jointly organized by the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) and the Investment and Technology Promotion Office of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain on 14-17 September 2020. The program was attended by experts from OIC member countries, OIC institutions and international organizations. The Centre was represented thereat by Dr. Cem Tintin, Senior Researcher and Ms. Tazeen Qureshi, Assistant Researcher.

The programme served as a platform to address the vital role of young women entrepreneurs in driving growth and SDGs. It also highlighted the key role of institutions in enhancing opportunities and further strengthening cooperation with regards to further boosting women’s entrepreneurial opportunities. The program entailed a special focus on the role of young entrepreneurs as core benefactors, and benefactresses within sustainable development schemes.

SESRIC contributed two presentations on the theme of the capacity building programme. During the first panel session on 14 September 2020, Dr. Tintin made his presentation on “Women Entrepreneurs in OIC Countries: Institutional and Policy Framework” and briefed the participants about the current state of women and existing gender disparities in the OIC countries while highlighting a number of success stories, initiatives and programs of OIC members and OIC institutions aiming at encouraging women entrepreneurs. Later on 17 September 2020, Ms. Qureshi made her presentation on “Young Women Entrepreneurs: Challenges, Solutions and Prospects” during the fourth panel session. In her presentation, Ms. Qureshi encapsulated the key challenges faced by young women entrepreneurs in OIC countries while underlining the efforts of OIC and SESRIC in strengthening institutional mechanisms and formulating policy frameworks to tackle these challenges.

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