eBay have recently launched a Central America hub in partnership with the International Trade Centre to bring attention to the unique handcrafted goods from female entrepreneurs in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama.
The hub provides a selection of handmade items including jewellery, ceramics, leather and wood products by Central American designers.
The European Union-funded program gives Central American women a pathway into the global gifts and home decoration market. The project will help provide opportunities for women-led businesses by strengthening their product design and export capabilities through training.
“Through the training, I’ve learned about the importance of having good product photos, attractive and authentic product descriptions as well as a high quality packaging.”
– Soledad Bore, Soledad Art Jewelry
Why is ecommerce especially important for female entrepreneurs?
Well According to eBay, ecommerce is ESPECIALLY important for female entrepreneurs, who can operate from their homes and family businesses. It should be noted though that it is almost 2020 and some women have managed to escape to work outside their homes… just like men. Here at Tamebay we know many successful female (and a few male) entrepreneurs and their businesses are way to big to run from home so i’m sure ecommerce is more important for women than simply working from home. Of course, some men also stay at home to look after children and ecommerce is handy for them too.
In a survey conducted in 2016, ITC found that out of the 200 micro and small enterprises in the Central American craft sector studied 80 percent were women. Connecting women entrepreneurs to online markets provide invaluable economic opportunities and progress for women in business.
“eBay supports businesses of all shapes and sizes, and in these regions where traditional business could be limited, online platforms can be an important source of income.”
-Xavier Aguirre Rojas, Senior business development manager, eBay Latin America