The WE Empower UN SDG Challenge
The WE Empower UN SDG Challenge is a first-of-its-kind global competition recognizing innovative women social entrepreneurs who are advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and mobilizing communities toward a more sustainable and equitable world by 2030. Awardees are honored for their groundbreaking work and receive capacity-building training, global visibility, and access to an unparalleled network to accelerate their impact. The program elevates and showcases the vital contribution of women entrepreneurs and business leaders in driving progress on the SDGs and addressing the world’s most pressing challenges.
Our objectives
Honor
Honor innovative women entrepreneurs who are achieving the SDGs through sustainable business practices and inspiring others to follow suit.
Invest
Invest in the most inspiring and transformational women entrepreneurs – providing access to unique trainings, capacity building, a network of their peers, visibility and credibility for their work.
Ignite
Ignite awareness among a global community of stakeholders of the valuable contribution women entrepreneurs can make in contributing to the SDGs and the obstacles they still face.
To learn more about the WE Empower Challenge and the experience of awardees.
Highlights from the WE Empower 2018 launch event with the UN Secretary General, President of the World Bank and High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Why women entrepreneurs?
Leadership
Women business owners have a multiplier impact on their staff, their customers and their broader communities. Global initiatives such as the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law project support and guide women business owners to help advance gender equality.
Economic contribution
Research from McKinsey demonstrates as much as $12 – $28 Trillion could be added to the global economy by 2025 if all countries bridged the gender gap. Women entrepreneurs play a critical role in global wealth creation.
Gender-based violence
Violence against women and girls affects one in three girls and women worldwide, undermining both dignity and potential and inflicting huge costs – including economic cost. The economic cost of violence against women and girls underscores the dire need for commitment and action from all sectors, including the private sector. A 2015 study found that domestic violence against women and children costs the global economy $8 trillion.
