Reviving female entrepreneurship
in Sri Lanka

Through training, loans, and more, we’re helping young women build stable futures

Despite a high female literacy rate in Sri Lanka,¹¹less than a third of women are economically active.¹²Entrepreneurship is helping to lift participation, yet currently only a quarter of entrepreneurs in the country are women.¹³

A lack of skills and confidence, traditional values that call for women to work at home, and workplace gender discrimination have all contributed to female participation that is significantly below regional and global averages.¹⁴^,¹⁵

To make matters worse, female employment has fallen several percentage points since before COVID-19.¹⁶ Notably, pandemic-induced lockdowns in the country have limited female entrepreneurs’ ability to sell products, produce services, and ultimately, support their families.

To help revive the livelihoods of working women in Sri Lanka, a new Futuremakers project targeting female entrepreneurs was launched in August 2021. This 24-month project, ‘Shaktheen’, is being funded by the Standard Chartered Foundation and implemented by our global strategic partner, Women Win, through its NGO partner in Sri Lanka, SERVE.

The project aims to empower 500 young women across two towns in the Western Province through self-help groups that inspire collective problem solving and source financing. The project provides access to start-up loans, vocational training, and business skills development. Participants are also being trained to identify and respond to instances of gender-based violence, as well as learn about women’s rights and laws. Together, this will help ensure they are physically and mentally able to pursue economic activities.

Success story

Young female entrepreneur Sewwandi was forced to close her teashop when COVID-19 hit. Her husband also lost his job, leaving the family in financial turmoil. However, after participating in Futuremakers’ Shaktheen project, her entrepreneurial position shifted dramatically. She learnt how to write a business plan and manage her finances, and secured the micro-loan needed to launch a new snack-cart business.

With that business now operating successfully, Sewwandi is currently undergoing management training and hopes to soon launch her dream business – a new hotel.

I'm so grateful for the support I received. The Shaktheen project helped me achieve my dreams, and I hope to inspire others in my community to do the same.

Sewwandi
Sri Lanka