In a major initiative to accelerate women entrepreneurship and secure gender parity, Kerala is planning to set up an International Women’s Trade Centre (iWTC) in Kozhikode.
An initiative of the State’s Gender Park under the Department of Social Justice, the iWTC is envisaged as a safe space away from home for women to harness their entrepreneurial capabilities, set up or expand their businesses and get their products marketed globally.
The first phase of iWTC, being executed under the Gender Park’s Vision 2020, is scheduled to be completed by 2021. “iWTC will provide a platform to help women break the glass ceiling by overcoming social barriers and forge ahead as successful entrepreneurs,” said Minister for Health and Social Justice K.K. Shylaja.
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String of outlets
Gender Park CEO P.T. Mohammed Sunish said the iWTC would be designed as a world class shopping destination with a string of outlets catering to the needs of women entrepreneurs. “The facility will have women’s start-up and incubation centre, retail fashion and technology outlets, health and wellness centres, business centres and offices, conference, convention and exhibition spaces, performing arts centre, residential suites and day care for seniors and children,” he said.
iWTC will enable women entrepreneurs to participate in international trade, enjoy greater economic benefits and enhance their competitiveness to tap market opportunities. Its special emphasis will be on hand-holding and bringing economically backward women, marginalized groups and women with disabilities and transgenders to the forefront by nurturing their entrepreneurial capabilities.
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iWTC would also have a dedicated space to promote performing arts and cultural forms like dance, music and theatre. “It will also serve as a platform for women’s creative expression,” said eminent choreographer and activist Mallika Sarabhai, who is an advisor to the Gender Park.
The iWTC is conceived in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which seek to transform the world, building on the principle of ‘leaving no one behind’ and promote prosperity while protecting the planet.
It will offer fully automated private and shared office spaces, virtual work spaces, common secretarial services, state-of-the-art communication facilities, and business guidance centres for setting up trade or business.
Green for sure
iWTC will be housed in an environment-friendly and resource- efficient building. In its piloting year, it will help flood-affected women and provide them with opportunities for livelihood and entrepreneurship.