Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton today said the African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program has gained so much momentum and signed up so many members.
At the lauching of Zambian AWEP Chapter, Ms. Clinton was delighted to see few familiar faces of participants.
“So it is good to see you again and it is good to see everyone here, who is committed to really empowering women entrepreneurs throughout Africa.”-Ms. Clinton
According to Ms. Clinton, many women throughout Africa are businesswomen who face obstacles, who persevere, who persist against those obstacles. She said the United States wants to help them.
“And I’m going to announce in a few minutes that the United States will continue to support AWEP. Last year’s event in Washington was such a success and again this year in Lusaka.”-Ms. Clinton
Ms. Clinton stressed that she is going to have a commitment that she will the businesswoman exchange ideas, learn from each other, support each other. She said she understand the Zambian women are hosting their sisters from other countries. She stressed she wanted a network of women entrepreneurs across Africa.
“I am convinced we will raise the incomes and the standards of living of people throughout the continent because of what you do.”-Ms. Clinton
Ms. Clinton emphasized business is not an end in itself, it is a means to an end, to be able to educate children, to be able to have a better home, to be able to provide healthcare, to build economies and create more opportunities.
“Thank you for showing me some of the – (applause) – products that you have produced, and let’s go out singing as I leave to go to the AGOA forum, because that always puts me in a great mood when I hear African women sing. (Laughter.) Thank you all and God bless you.”-Ms. Clinton
