Women in peri-urban and rural areas should not be left out of innovation ecosystems. They are right at the centre of where most problems and challenges persist, giving them first hand experience and a bottom up approach to problem solving.

The WomSTEM Innovation and Entrepreneurship Agency has launched FEM-HUB Mashinani to address the issue.

Using an easily scalable model, Fem-Hub Mashinani sets up programs for mentorship and upskilling in partnership with local innovators. The focus is to uplift women in marginalized societies, and enable them to improve their livelihoods and create jobs.

[Fem-Hub is a centre of excellence for women innovations in business or social enterprise. It emphasizes a strong focus on sustainability, and ultimately enables entrepreneurship that is impact driven.]