IEEW Launches PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS Program In Afghanistan And Rwanda

OKLAHOMA CITY, February 28, 2013 (Press-News.org) The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women (IEEW) (http://ieew.org), a nonprofit organization that encourages the empowerment of women through education and mentorship, has announced that the PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS Program has begun in Kabul, Afghanistan and Kigali, Rwanda. The program seeks to educate and train women in these regions, promote their business and leadership skills, build a strong policy agenda in the women's respective business communities and assist in creating stable democracies.

The first stage of the program, "In-Country Education," began in February, with 30 women from each country taking classes that provide business education taught by former PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS alumnae certified in the curriculum. These classes focus on fostering entrepreneurship, improving technical skills, and developing knowledge in accounting, marketing and operations. Throughout the eight-week program, the students will develop a business plan to guide their growing businesses and apply for loans.

The next stage of the program, which begins in July in the United States, will partner students with American women business owners who will serve as mentors for the participants. Students will live and work with mentors during Mentorship Week from July 20-27, and mentors can attend the International Women's Economic Summit and student graduation from July 29-30. Thereafter, students and mentors will maintain an online relationship assisting each other for a minimum of one year. For more information, visit http://www.ieew.org/programs/mentor-overview.

QUOTE:
"I am pleased and excited to announce that the PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS Program has welcomed its seventh class of entrepreneurs," said Dr. Terry Neese, founder of the IEEW. "With more than 250 graduated women since 2007, this program has helped countless women maximize their full potential as business leaders within their communities. Their achievements serve as a testament to the power of women and the value of our organization."

DETAILS:
- IEEW is supported by these National Presidential Level sponsors: The T. Boone Pickens Foundation, the AT&T Foundation, Office Depot, the Dick & Betsy DeVos Family Foundation, Northwood University, and The Hill newspaper.

NEW MEDIA CONTENT:
IEEW Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/IEEW.PTB

IEEW Twitter Page:
https://twitter.com/ieew_ptb

ABOUT IEEW:
Established in 2006, the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women, based in Oklahoma City, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that encourages the empowerment of women business owners economically, politically and socially by focusing on their education and mentorship. The IEEW strives to help women in the United States and abroad who want to gain entrepreneurial skills that will help them start and grow a business, which will in turn help them to become more active and effective public policy advocates. Working on the forefront of these efforts, the IEEW believes in the power of women as a driving force in the development and stability of businesses in emerging economies. Through its dedication, hard work and PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS program, the IEEW helps provide women with a voice in their fight to establish peace and free market economies. For more information, visit http://www.ieew.org/.

Caitlin Russell
MMI Public Relations
(919) 233-6600
caitlin@mmipublicrelations.com
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