MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDER

Madame Nguyen Thi Tuyet Minh

AWEN Founder
AWEN Vietnam Focal Point

As Founder of the ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Network (AWEN), I believe our greatest strength lies in unity and shared purpose. By fostering trust, collaboration, and mutual support among our members, AWEN will grow sustainably and resiliently. Together, we can build a strong, connected community of women entrepreneurs who create lasting value for our businesses, social impact, and long-term value for the ASEAN community and future generations.

ABOUT AWEN

The initiative to establish an ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs’ Network was announced by Viet Nam at the 6th ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW) Meeting held on 7-8 November 2007 in Chiang Mai, Thailand, as part of its proposal to develop a cooperative programme between the ACW and the ASEAN Confederation of Women’s Organisations (ACWO) in addressing poverty. The initiative was welcomed by ASEAN Member States.

The 7th ACW Meeting held on 22-23 October 2008 in Ha Noi, Viet Nam, requested Viet Nam and the ACWO to take the lead in the implementation of the initiative with the support from other ASEAN Member States.

The 9th ACW Meeting held on 15-16 November 2010 in Siem Reap, Cambodia, agreed to request Viet Nam to develop the draft Terms of Reference of the ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs’ Network.

The 10th ACW Meeting held on 3-4 October 2011 in Bogor, Indonesia, reviewed the draft Terms of Reference of the ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs’ Network developed by Viet Nam.

The 11th ACW Meeting held on 16-17 October 2012 in Vientiane, Lao PDR, finalised and adopted the Terms of Reference of the ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs’ Network.

VISION

Improve the capacity of ASEAN women entrepreneurs and boost ASEAN women entrepreneurs’ development and networking through the Network’s activities.

PURPOSE

  • The ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs’ Network is a regional network of national women entrepreneurs’ associations and/or micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, associations, clubs and/or other economic entities owned or managed by women in all economic sectors in the ASEAN region.
  • The purposes of the ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs’ Network are:
    1. To create a regional forum for ASEAN women entrepreneurs to share information, knowledge and experience on policies, business environment, investment, and socio – political issues and their impacts on business opportunities;
    2. To assist ASEAN women entrepreneurs to improve their business management and skills, such as in communications, leadership and problem solving;
    3. To support ASEAN women entrepreneurs’ better access to financial institutions for women in micro, small and medium sized enterprises, science and technology, trainings, market and business opportunities within ASEAN and beyond, and social protection services;
    4. To support ASEAN women entrepreneurs who are starting their businesses;
    5. To link with other international and regional networks/organizations of women entrepreneurs.

ROLES & FUNCTIONS

The ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs’ Network shall:

  1. Organize a regular ASEAN forum to share information and experiences in efficient operating business models, national and regional policies and procedures concerning trade, customs and registration of businesses and investments, as well as other issues related to gender and business. ASEAN Member States will take turn in organising this forum;
  2. Provide capacity building for new women’s business leaders to embark on their planned projects and learn from well-established businesses within the Network;
  3. Study and make policy recommendations in the region to support effectively women entrepreneurs to develop business activities domestically and regionally; establish a common action programme piloted in one country and replicate the model to others, coordinate with banks / financial institutions to support capital for women entrepreneurs to start their businesses;
  4. Establish funds for feasible ideas/projects of enterprises owned by women in the region;
  5. Develop and maintain the Network’s website and issue publications to facilitate communications and information sharing among the Network’s members;
  6. Organize dialogues among management agencies and women entrepreneurs;
  7. Organize study tours on business model, management model of a typical business, among others.

Communication Information from AWEN Vietnam
April 2014 – April 2016

The ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs’ Network (AWEN) is a regional network of national women entrepreneurs’ associations and/or micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, associations, clubs and/or other economic entities owned or managed by women in all economic sectors in the ASEAN region.

The initiative to establish an ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs’ Network (AWEN) was announced by Viet Nam at the 6th ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW) Meeting held on 7-8 November 2007 in Chiang Mai, Thailand, as part of its proposal to develop a cooperative programme between the ACW and the ASEAN Confederation of Women’s Organizations (ACWO) in addressing poverty. The initiative was welcomed by ASEAN Member States. The establishment of AWEN is an activity planned in the ACW Work Plan 2011-2015 and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint 2011-2015.

Trusted and assigned by ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW) chaired by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), the Vietnam Women Entrepreneur Council leaded by Mdm. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Minh, Chairwoman has developed a project to establish the ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Network (AWEN), actively coordinated with ASEAN Committee on Women to introduce the project and collect comments from member countries for the completion of the project.

The 11th ACW Meeting held on 16-17 October 2012 in Vientiane, Lao PDR, finalized and adopted the Terms of Reference of the ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs’ Network.

On April 22nd 2014, AWEN was officially established and launched. Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Minh – Chairwoman of Vietnam Women Entrepreneurs Council, a founder of AWEN assumed the role of the first Chair of AWEN for two-year term (2014 – 2016).

Highlights of AWEN through the years

Under the chairmanship of Vietnam 2014-2016

After the launching of AWEN, Mdm Nguyen Thi Tuyet Minh, AWEN Chair has developed AWEN Regulations, strengthened institutional capacity of AWEN, organized the 1st AWEN meeting in Hanoi (April 2014); set up Focal point organization in ASEAN Member State and AWEN Coordination Board; Established email group of the Coordination Board; Updated changes of contact persons and personnel from each AWEN Focal points; Organized 02 Coordination Board Meeting and 01 AWEN Conference; Developed AWEN Logo, Regulations;..).

In the period of the 1st term 2014 -2016, under the Chairmanship of Mdm Nguyen Thi Tuyet Minh, many initiatives and activities have been implemented: networking and capacity building activities; sharing information to AWEN members and women entrepreneurs in the region; Promotion of partnerships with other partners, organizations; successfully organized more than 10 important events in Vietnam; participated, introduced the members to participate in more than 30 events regionally and internationally, attracted the attendance of more than 2000 enterprises, business organizations.

Especially Mdm Minh had many initiatives, raised funds and resources to successfully organized many activities, including the 1st 2nd ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Forum and Awarding ASEAN outstanding in 2015 and 2016 in Hanoi, Vietnam with the participation of more than 1000 delegates. The Forum and the AWARD now become the annual important event and activity of AWEN.