Fourteen Women To Attend Dubai Conference
A delegation of 14 Bermudian women entrepreneurs and leaders will travel next week to the International Women Leadership Conference in Dubai, building on the foundation established by the UN Women Building Back Equal programme.
A Government spokesperson said, “This groundbreaking initiative, which concluded in October 2024 under the joint partnership of UN Women and the Ministry of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, was supported by the UN Sustainable Development Goals Fund with a focus on SDG 5 [gender equality] and SDG 8 [decent work and economic growth].
PS Valerie Robinson James, YSDS; Jamillah Lodge, BEDC; Mrs. Ibukun Awosika; Minister Tinѐe Furbert, YSDS; Gayle Gollop, UN Women Caribbean; Dr. Dana Selassie, Zhyon International.
“Though the official programme has concluded, the Ministry of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, in continued partnership with the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation [BEDC], has prioritized sustaining its momentum and building on its achievements.
“This delegation represents a concrete commitment to ensuring the programme’s impact continues through providing Bermudian women entrepreneurs with exposure to global opportunities for business expansion and leadership development.
“Representing Bermuda at the conference, Tinée Furbert Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, will deliver a goodwill message at the opening session on Thursday, 20 March.
“The event, taking place from 19 to 21 March, is organised by renowned global businesswoman and entrepreneur Ibukun Awosika, and continues to grow, drawing approximately 600 women from Africa, the diaspora, and beyond for leadership, business networking, and empowerment sessions.
Mrs. Ibukun Awosika.
“The conference will feature high-impact panel discussions on topics that align with the Building Back Equal programme’s objectives, including innovative financing for women-led businesses, leadership strategies for economic sustainability, bridging the gender gap in technology, and the role of women in driving sustainable economic growth. These topics directly address the programme’s aims to strengthen women’s economic resilience and create inclusive growth opportunities.
“The delegates represent both the BEDC’s programmes and the Ministry of Youth, Social Development and Seniors programmes under the joint UN partnership.
“At BEDC, we recognise the vital role women entrepreneurs play in driving economic growth, innovation, and community development,” said Erica Smith, Executive Director of BEDC. “We were pleased to support the Ministry by coordinating the application process to identify and select women entrepreneurs for participation. In addition to the four women sponsored by the Ministry, BEDC is proud to further its commitment by sponsoring two additional entrepreneurs, as well as two BEDC staff members.”
The Government spokesperson said, “The selection process for delegates was rigorous, ensuring participants demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovation, and potential for international growth. Eight of the delegates are successful entrepreneurs whose participation is jointly sponsored by the Ministry and BEDC.
Mrs. Kristin Burt and Patrina O’Connor Paynter.
“This international participation is a direct result of the foundations laid by the UN Women-Ministry joint partnership. Dr. Dana Selassie traveled to the IWLC conference in 2024 as an official delegate of UN Women Caribbean where she presented on leveraging artificial intelligence in filmmaking to amplify historically marginalized voices overlooked by mainstream media, such as Bermuda’s national hero Mary Prince.
“That experience provided her with insight into global initiatives supporting women entrepreneurs, inspiring her to introduce the first Mary Prince Women’s Entrepreneurial and Leadership Conference in Bermuda, where Mrs. Awosika was the facilitator. Supported by UN Women, the Ministry, and BEDC, the event identified key gaps in Bermuda’s ecosystem, highlighting the importance of networking and peer support among women entrepreneurs.”
Minister Furbert added, “When women succeed economically, entire communities benefit. This delegation represents our commitment to ensuring Bermudian women have every opportunity to lead, innovate and prosper. I look forward to returning with renewed strategies and connections that will further strengthen our island’s approach to gender equality and women’s economic empowerment.”
The Government spokesperson said, “To ensure the broader community benefits from this international experience, the Ministry and BEDC will host a public forum in April, where delegates will share key takeaways and discuss strategies for applying their insights to Bermuda’s business landscape. The second Mary Prince Women’s Entrepreneurial and Leadership Conference in Bermuda with Mrs. Awosika is scheduled for August 6 – 8th, 2025.
“For more information on the International Woman Leadership Conference in Dubai, visit: https://tiwlc.com/.
“For more information on the 2025 Mary Prince Women’s Entrepreneurial and Leadership Conference in Bermuda, email info@zhyoninternational.com.”
This is good news. Best wishes.