Romanian women help shape national economic growth and development

Romania - The prominent role of Romanian women in society, specifically in public service and in business, took center stage at a recent conference on women in governance held in Bucharest. Organized by the Center for International Private Enterprise and Coalition of Business Women’s Associations, which are major partner organizations of WINNER-Romania, the conference tackled various issues and concerns on women’s role in shaping national growth and development and promoting the leadership of women in an entrepreneurial society that offers equal opportunity for all.

The conference was attended by women leaders and decision-makers in industry and business as well as policy-makers in government.  WINNER National Coordinator Iolanda Mihalache, representing over 650 member enterprises of the network in Romania, discussed opportunities in the global economy through interaction with markets in Europe as well as in other parts of the world, particularly in the member countries of the WINNER global network in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

The WINNER project in Romania is working to promote women entrepreneurs gain access to international, regional and local markets through application of information and communication technology.  Romania has a total population of 22 million, of which 44.5% are considered poor.  Despite high level of literacy, women have less access to business opportunities as compared to men.  About 130, 000 companies in Romania have women as managers-owners running their micro, small and medium businesses.