Introduction: PAWED partner NECA Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW) convened its annual conference for women entrepreneurs. NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW) is a platform under the aegis of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association to promote and nurture entrepreneurship amongst women. PAWED convened a panel discussion at this conference on the budget deficit and challenges of young women in entrepreneurship.

The objective of the panel: To discuss the implication of a reduction in funding for WEE in the 2023 budget and its impact on women and young female entrepreneurs in Nigeria.

Key issues highlighted:

1. The implication decreased trend in the budget allocation for WEE in 2023 proposed budget allocations.
2. Challenges of young entrepreneurs and the advantages of the formation of collectives.

Outcomes:

1. Increased awareness for NECA / NNEW members on the implication of budget reduction for WEE and the need for advocacy to the policymakers for adequate funding for WEE in keeping with the commitments of Mr. President.
2. Outlining the opportunities for young women facing and the creation of networks for collectives.
3. Increase women’s understanding of how to get technical and financial support for their businesses.

The challenges of young entrepreneurs include and are not limited to the lack of access to funding opportunities and issues of sexual harassment for women and girls in the business place. Young women are often excluded from many schemes.

Next steps:

Women and girls are urged to speak up at every opportunity and work in collaboration as one voice to advocate for more funding, access to resources, and gender equity.

Formation of collectives for these young women and support for advocacy and communications training to improve their advocacy capacity to advocate for inclusion. https://youtu.be/qcqBpByFxtY

The event took place on the 25^th of November 2022 in Lagos.