WESK is thrilled to announce a significant new partnership with Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE), who has approved funding to support our work expanding the Saskatchewan Women Entrepreneurship Charter. This funding will allow us to continue making strides toward systemic change, ensuring women-owned businesses have more access, opportunity, and support in the Saskatchewan business landscape.
The Saskatchewan Women Entrepreneurship Charter, which launched in April 2021, is a pivotal part of WESK’s mission to close the gender entrepreneurship gap and advance women’s economic security and leadership in Saskatchewan. The Charter is built on four guiding principles designed to drive tangible outcomes for women business owners:
- Procure with Her: Encourages organizations to dedicate 5-15% of their procurement budgets to women-owned or women-led Saskatchewan businesses.
- Amplify Her Voice: Leverages owned media platforms to bring greater visibility to women-owned businesses.
- Share Skills with Her: Focuses on mentoring and skill-sharing opportunities to support current or aspiring women entrepreneurs.
- Shatter a Ceiling: Involves creating business connections and opportunities for women entrepreneurs within established networks.
Read more about the Charter here.
Expanding the Charter with WAGE’s Support
With WAGE’s support, we will focus on scaling the Charter’s reach and impact across Saskatchewan. The funding will allow us to:
- Increase Commitment to Supplier Diversity: Many Saskatchewan organizations are already stepping up as Charter Champions (signatories of the Saskatchewan Woman Entrepreneurship Charter), but there is room for growth. WESK will work with current and potential Charter Champions to set and refine diversity targets within their procurement processes, ensuring that more business is directed to women-led suppliers. By raising awareness and providing resources, we can expand opportunities for women entrepreneurs while fostering a more inclusive business landscape.
- Provide Enhanced Training and Resources: WESK will develop specialized training and resources to support Charter Champions in achieving their procurement goals. These resources will equip organizations with the skills and knowledge to engage and support women-owned businesses, navigate the supplier diversity landscape, and build meaningful, lasting partnerships.
- Facilitate Connections Between Buyers and Women-Owned Businesses: WESK will organize supplier-to-buyer networking events to bring together large corporations, government agencies, and institutions with women-owned businesses. These events are designed to foster direct relationships, build trust, and create new business opportunities for women business owners across Saskatchewan.
- Measure and Celebrate Success: This project will also support a series of impact assessments to monitor our progress. WESK will track key metrics to ensure success is tangible and has a deep economic impact in our province. We look forward to sharing these successes and celebrating the incredible work of our Charter Champions and the growth of women-owned businesses.
Join Us in Making a Change
Through the Saskatchewan Women Entrepreneurship Charter, WESK and its partners are committed to creating a more equitable economy. With less than 5% of corporate and government contracts in Canada currently awarded to women-owned businesses, there is an urgent need to shift procurement practices and open doors for women entrepreneurs. We’re excited to take these next steps toward lasting change with the support of Women and Gender Equality Canada.
If your organization is ready to act, consider becoming a Charter Champion and joining us in championing diversity and inclusion in procurement. Learn more about the Charter and how to get involved here.
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