About Etrade For Women

Our objective is to help women digital entrepreneurs in developing and transition economies thrive as leaders of the digital transformation and contribute to sustainable development.

eTrade for Women strives to empower women entrepreneurs in the digital world through four main action-lines

Inspire

We leverage the work and visibility of the eTrade for Women Advocates, outstanding digital entrepreneurs, to inspire the next generation of successful entrepreneurs and bring women’s voices to the front.

Connect

We strive to create and nurture communities of women digital entrepreneurs all around the world who can expand their network, share their experiences, develop their skills and discover new business opportunities at a national and regional level.

Empower

We help women digital entrepreneurs grow in the digital world by providing access to knowledge and support to develop their businesses and go beyond their bottom line.

Give a Voice

We seek to reduce gender inequality by bringing women digital entrepreneurs to the policy table. We want to leverage their presence in decision-making processes to shape a more sustainable and inclusive digital economy.

When women are empowered, the whole world is transformed

35% of women

are still nor using the internet and this goes up to 80% in Low Income Countries

Source: The International Telecommunication Union (2024)

"Having women not just as users but also as shapers of technology is important for a better and more equal future for all."

Ms. Rebeca Grynspan, UNCTAD Secretary-General

Publications

FEATURED PUBLICATION

Fostering Women Entrepreneurship in the Digital Economy

Insights from UNCTAD’s eTrade for Women Advocates 2019–2021 Cohort

Building on the experience of the first cohort of eTrade for Women Advocates – 7 outstanding women leaders appointed by UNCTAD to foster women’s participation in the digital economy – this paper reviews the main obstacles that women digital entrepreneurs face in developing countries. Uncovering the Advocates’ entrepreneurial journey, the paper highlights some of the key factors behind their success as business leaders, and explores how to help more women follow in their footsteps, to make the digital economy more inclusive.

READ THE REPORT

eTrade for Women is premised on the need to harness the transformative power of women entrepreneurship to accelerate inclusive growth and poverty reduction and help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

How to get involved

If you are a partner, organization or government, you can support our masterclasses and communities in any of the objectives above. Help us reduce gender inequality and make the digital world a better place, for all. Let us know how you can collaborate.

GET INVOLVED