Commonwealth Games an opportunity for women in business too

Commonwealth Games an opportunity for women in business too

04 December 2015

The closing day of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting on 30th November saw a Sports Breakfast hosted by the Commonwealth Games Federation also attended by the Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network, an accredited organisation focused on women’s economic empowerment recognised by 53 governments, and the Durban Chamber of Commerce. The power of the Commonwealth Games as a flagship Commonwealth brand was acknowledged by Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma.

Glasgow 2014 set out its commitment to ‘procurement processes to enable opportunities for broader supply chain engagement...by awarding contracts....to supported businesses, believing involvement of the third sector is crucial to improving social inclusion, along with delivering good value for money.’ This is something that the Gold Coast Games can build on in 2018 and Durban in 2022.

Arif Zaman, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network (CBW) said: ‘Glasgow has shown that the Games can be a significant opportunity for women in business through procurement. We look forward to further realising these opportunities by working with the Gold Coast Games in 2018 and Durban in 2022.’

David Grevemberg CBE, Chief Executive Officer, Commonwealth Games Federation said: ‘Sport underpins the unique connections and friendships which bring together a third of the world’s population as citizens of the Commonwealth. As athletes, audiences and suppliers the Games provide great opportunities for women too with inclusivity being a guiding principle.’

Farzana Varachia-Patel, CEO Xanopia Women’s Business Group and CBW Regional Partner, Africa who also attended CHOGM, said: ‘Durban’s hosting of the Games in 2022 presents real opportunities for women in South Africa and beyond especially if we can harness the energy and excitement in abundance from the award win to accelerate progress in women's economic empowerment.’

ENDS

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