Study on how female heads of households can mitigate present economic climate — Phase 2

Phase two of an initiative to examine how vulnerable female heads of households in Barbados and the OECS can mitigate the present economic conditions began here in St Vincent on Tuesday. {{more}}

The programme, which is taking place at the Redemption Sharpes Community Centre and ends today, Friday, is organized by the Pinelands Creative Workshop (PCW), in partnership with the Canadian High Commission and local partner The Lazarus Foundation.

The initiative examines how how these female heads of households can mitigate the present economic conditions through taking advantage of the emerging economic sectors.

In this regard, they have implemented a pilot project — “Building Blocks for Women’s Economic Empowerment in the Caribbean” in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The pilot project seeks to address the concern of economic empowerment in a three-phase approach at the sub-regional level; thus far it has engaged the key target group with key sector experts in a think-tank as a phase one preparatory stage of this intervention.

For phase two, the project has organized for training in Basic Computer Skills and Basic Financial Management for women involved or planning to become involved in small businesses.

“We have therefore selected 18 participants from the first phase to continue through to the second phase of the project; this is aimed at filling skills and knowledge gaps identified in Phase One. Phase Three will seek to move selected participants to implement sustainable business ideas with support from a number of experts to ensure some measure of success,” a release from the organizers said.