Belmopan, April 11, 2022.
The Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour, and Local Government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Development, Families, and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, and the National Association of Village Councils (NAVCO), today launched the Rural Women Economic Empowerment Project at the NAVCO headquarters in Belmopan.
The objective of this initiative is to foster women’s empowerment by developing potential businesses to improve both the economic and social wellbeing of rural women. This will not only stimulate economic activities but produce the double dividend of benefiting women and children which is pivotal to the health and social development of families, communities and the country.
The project will support three women’s enterprises:
- The Sunshine Women’s group from the Corozal District will focus on a decorative and catering business, where the women will prepare cakes and decorate for special events. They will now expand their business to include rental of tables, chairs, and tents. They will also build their capacity in marketing and organizational planning to promote their business outside of their home district.
- The Cayo West Women’s Group will focus on sewing and garment production. The women will manufacture small-scale garments as well as do general tailoring and sewing. They will also engage in capacity building in budget preparation as well as training in sewing and embroidery, allowing women to design and manufacture a range of clothing and other related products such as bags and masks. The project is expected to build the women’s confidence, develop leadership abilities, and foster solid business knowledge.
- The Xaibe Women’s Group from the Toledo District will focus on food production and sewing. The women will set up a cultural food business to generate income for their members. The pandemic has brought severe challenges and it has forced Xaibe Women’s Group to enhance their proficiencies by adding sewing to their resume. They have taught themselves how to sew so that they can provide clothes for their children. Additionally, they will now engage in capacity building in order to improve the services they provide and create awareness of their products and services which will enhance their cultural and economic well-being.
The project financing totals BZ$40,000.00 and is funded by the Ministry of Human Development, Families, and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs. The project will be implemented by NAVCO for a three-month period with technical support from the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour and Local Government.
Present at today’s launch were Hon. Oscar Requena, Minister of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour and Local Government; Hon. Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Minister of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs; Hon. Ramiro Ramirez, Minister of State in the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour and Local Government; Hon. Elvia Vega-Samos, Minister of State in the Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs; Hon. Jorge Espat, Area Representative for Cayo West; Senator Hon. Collet Montejo; CEO Tanya Santos from the Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous People’s Affairs; and Ms. Esperanza Ariaza, Secretary for NAVCO.
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