Written By:
Akmal Hanuk,
CEO and founder,
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Entrepreneurship is a driving force. It transforms individuals, communities and economies worldwide, making it a powerful vehicle for lasting change.
It isn’t just about businesses; it’s about empowering people – particularly those who often go unheard – and shaping fairer, innovative, and prosperous futures for everyone.
International Women’s Day offers us a chance to reflect on our vision at Assadaqaat Community Finance (ACF). That vision is to empower women to become the change agents and drivers of economic growth, not just in Wales but globally.
At ACF we wholeheartedly believe in inspiring women to embark on their entrepreneurial journeys and bring their business ideas into a commercial reality.
We’ve recognised a wellspring of untapped potential within our communities, particularly among women from black and minority ethnic backgrounds. Despite harbouring incredible business ideas, many lack the requisite confidence and support systems to bring these visions to fruition.
To answer this, ACF has developed a focused Women Entrepreneurship Programme. This initiative is tailored to equip women with the confidence, skills development, advice, mentoring, networking opportunities and market connections necessary to thrive domestically, nationally, and even globally.
Our flagship offering is a comprehensive six-week training course designed and delivered to empower women participants to overcome the many barriers holding them back.
Over the past three years we have worked with more than 2,500 women in Wales, Ghana, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. More than half of those women have completed our ACF entrepreneurship programme, and 125 women are in the process of setting up their own businesses.
Almost 400 women to date have received support and mentorship from us. As experts in the business sector, we understand that the right mentorship and skillsets can pave the way for individuals to generate own income. For many who lack accessible or available employment opportunities entrepreneurship becomes a beacon of hope, enabling them to chart their course toward financial independence and stability.
We have also supported 28 women entrepreneurs with interest-free finance. Our deep-rooted knowledge in the finance sector, especially in business finance, has shed light on a troubling reality: certain segments of our society are disproportionately affected by systemic barriers to accessing support. Mainstream financial institutions often overlook these individuals, leaving them burdened by mounting debt and unsustainable interest rates. Our community finance model is affordable and responsible, providing a viable alternative and pathway to financial independence that isn’t contingent on traditional financial structures.
Crucially, entrepreneurship isn’t solely about crafting business plans or mastering marketing strategies. It’s a journey of personal growth – it’s about nurturing confident and proactive members of society, often individuals who have faced extraordinary challenges.
And the creation of new enterprises doesn’t just address unemployment. It generates a palpable shift in economic stability and social dynamics, especially in developing nations where poverty is pervasive. This empowerment is a catalyst for social change, propelling communities towards holistic development.
As we celebrate the remarkable contributions of women worldwide, we at ACF reaffirm our unwavering commitment to championing women’s empowerment and fostering an entrepreneurial environment where every woman has the opportunity to ignite her entrepreneurial passion and turn her business idea into a viable commercial reality.
I take this opportunity to thank all our benefactors, supporters and donors for their generous and steadfast support in helping us to achieve our mission to create a more equitable and prosperous future for all less privileged members of our communities.
