AWESOME

(WOMEN ASSOCIATION FORMATION)

AWESOME is an association of women entrepreneurs, created in the year 2006, out of ECDI and MEDA’s previous project – Behind the Veil. AWESOME functions as an independent body; where overall secretarial and advisory support services are being provided by ECDI. It has five chapters across Pakistan. These chapters are located in Karachi, Hyderabad and Thatta (Sindh), Multan (Punjab), Quetta (Balochistan) and Peshawar (KPK).  Each of the provincial chapters of AWESOME maintains a separate secretariat/office. The General Body conducts semi-annual provincial meetings to share ideas, discuss issues and take decisions.

Its goal is to promote an integrated approach that recognizes the specific needs of women entrepreneurs in various regions and brings them together for learning and seeking solutions to business issues faced by them. These include   information on high quality input supplies, design, technology and markets, financial management, conflict resolution, business development services for network members, participation in national and international exhibitions and trade fairs, and cooperation for  display of products at buying houses owned by some of the members.

Primary benefit from acquiring membership of the Association includes facility of bulk purchasing of input supply and production marketing, access to buying houses for display of products to get bulk orders and access to local and international exhibitions.

AWESOME is also part of Regional Women’s Economic Network (RWEN) which provides it with an opportunity for experience sharing and access to the regional markets among many other things.