Standard Bank Mozambique Business Center Agent, Katia Monteiro, argues that women must empower themselves to conquer and consolidate their space, particularly in business, and thus achieve the desired financial independence.
“Many are already doing this without realizing it. Some out of necessity and others because they are chasing a specific dream. That’s why it’s important that we have this approach to talk to people who have the same dream”, she said, recently, speaking in the second edition of the event called “Lioness Lean In Live Webinar”.
According to her, the women of the current generation have an added responsibility, since they must continue the years of struggle that others have gone through to conquer their space in the political, economic, and social spheres.
“We cannot be afraid to fight or to change. Above all, we must know our strengths and weaknesses in order to be in a better position to take the steps necessary for success,” she stressed.
Kátia Monteiro was seconded by the founder and executive director of Lionesses of Africa, Melanie Hawken, according to whom women can play an important role in the current crisis the world is going through, specifically in the food and fuel sectors.
“This crisis is having a negative impact on our businesses and communities, especially as we are coming out of a pandemic. However, if we get a group of women entrepreneurs together, we are more likely to find a solution. They have an incredible ability to help each other in business,” said Melanie Hawken.
Marteen Rusch, responsible for the Cooperation Area in the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, said that it was because she believed in the capacity of women that her institution joined this initiative, through which she hopes to contribute to the promotion of interaction between female entrepreneurs and allow the expansion of customer and supplier networks.
“By joining the Lioness Lean In Live Webinar, we aim to reiterate our commitment to the cause of women entrepreneurship in the country. We believe in and support the initiative because it has the distinction of pushing women to do more and better for their businesses,” he said.
Note that the “Lioness Lean In Live Webinar” is an event for sharing experiences and establishing partnerships between women, promoted by Lionesses of Africa, in partnership with Standard Bank and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Mozambique.
