It has been established that womens economic empowerment requires bold and sustained action to advance womens opportunities and rights and to ensure that women can participate and be heard.To increase economic opportunities, women need access to more and better jobs, a business climate that supports them in starting and doing business and a public and private sector that gives them access to financial services tailored to their needs.The government in South Africa has stepped up to its responsibility of promoting women empowerment. One way in which this is being done is through Isivande Womens Fund.
Managed by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry, Isivande Women’s Fund is an exclusive fund that aims to accelerate women’s economic empowerment by providing more affordable, usable and responsive finance than is currently unavailable. The IWF assists with support services to enhance the success of businesses. It pursues deals involving start-up funding, business expansion, business rehabilitation, franchising and bridging finance.Its ultimate goal is to support the creation of self sustaining black and women owned businesses in South Africa by providing primarily financial and non-financial support to investee companies. Funds offered range from a minimum of R30,000 to a maximum of R2 million.
To qualify for this fund, women enterprises have to meet the following criteria, be at least 6 months in operation, be in desperate need of early stage expansions and growth capital, be 50% plus one share owned and managed by women as well as have potential for growth and commercial sustainability.The business must also show potential for social impact in form of job creation.
To access this fund, contact can be made on 0117727910.