Umbrellas of Pride turns this familiar furnishing into
symbols of female entrepreneurship. Proudly displaying “This business is
woman-owned”.
A beacon of representation and possibility. With each
umbrella telling the story of the woman behind the business, and informing
readers of the support, tools, and training that the CARE Ignite program can
provide for them thanks to their 5.26M women’s economic empowerment partnership
with the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth.
For Le Kim Dung, Country Director CARE in Vietnam, the
Umbrellas of Pride are an “ingenious way to lift fellow women up.”
“Fear of failure is the number one barrier among female
entrepreneurs in Vietnam - by celebrating and displaying success stories that
women can identify with so clearly in the open, we hope to inspire a whole new
wave of female entrepreneurship.”
These umbrellas were gifted to the female business owners
already enrolled in the CARE Ignite program. Each business owner becomes an
Ignite ambassador, helping build a network of support and mentorship.
66% of men are confident they can start a business, in
contrast to less than 50% of women - regardless of similar education and
experience. Representation is the key to a more equitable future. With women’s
stories front and center, more aspiring entrepreneurs, especially female
entrepreneurs, can overcome the fears that come with starting a business. The
more success stories told, the more we can create.
The Umbrellas of Pride also highlight access to resources
and support provided by the CARE Ignite Program for women in Vietnam: Providing
financial support, skills training, education, and a vast network of
experienced entrepreneurs and mentors, made possible through the partnership
with Mastercard.
“The pandemic has set back recent gains made towards women
empowerment, and there is a high risk of women getting left behind. Mastercard
is committed to creating an inclusive world that works for everyone, especially
women.
Women-owned businesses are the heartbeat of every economy
and are critical to boosting recovery efforts in Vietnam. Hence, Mastercard is
honored to be part of the Umbrellas of Pride campaign that acknowledges the
strength, perseverance and success of women entrepreneurs - a vital initiative
in creating an equal world post-Covid.” - Winnie Wong, Country Manager,
Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, Mastercard