Bazra Forum, a women-led business network in Taiz, Yemen, has brought together more than 200 women running active or struggling businesses as the city faces prolonged conflict, rising prices and limited employment opportunities.
Founded by women entrepreneurs familiar with the challenges of the local market, the forum provides business support, financing, training, consultations and grants. Its services also focus on helping revive stalled businesses and strengthening members’ professional networks.
The forum’s initial group of 15 women was created to represent the wider community of 200 entrepreneurs, according to Abrar Al-Azaizi, monitoring and evaluation officer at Wasl Organisation. She said the initiative grew out of an earlier project that launched an online platform for women entrepreneurs in Taiz.
During its formation, members elected a leadership team and signed founding and organisational documents, establishing a governance structure for the forum’s next phase. Members said the initiative aims to improve cooperation, knowledge-sharing and partnerships among women-led businesses.
The organisers said Bazra is the first initiative of its kind in Taiz and plans to expand its work to other Yemeni cities. The forum is intended to provide economic, social and psychological support while helping women access funding and develop their businesses.
Source: Jinha Agency
