Female entrepreneurs from all corners of the province are invited to come out to one of eight events happening this week for Women’s Entrepreneurship Day.

Jessica Pegg with Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan, or WESK, says women make up half of the population, but only 21 per cent of private sector businesses are majority-owned by women. However, women-owned businesses contribute significantly to Saskatchewan’s economy.

Pegg says women-owned businesses are huge contributors to the province. For every dollar they’re provided, about $11.50 is injected into the Saskatchewan economy. However, it hasn’t always been a walk in the park.

“It was only in the mid-eighties that women were able to get a loan on their own without a male co-signer,” she explains.

She says not being allowed to take part in the conversation until recently is just one barrier that has held female entrepreneurs back. To close that gap, WESK offers loans, support, and business advising to all entrepreneurs through a flexible lens.

“WESK has our own loan fund…We have loaned $48 million to women-owned businesses here in Saskatchewan.” On total over the last 30 years, WESK has supported over 144,000 women.

To celebrate the day, WESK is hosting eight events around the province this week.

“We’re in North Battleford. We’re in Wynyard, Swift Current, Yorkton, Esterhazy, Moose Jaw. That is all made possible by our ambassadors that actually live and work and have businesses in those communities.”