One hundred and thirty-six women last weekend graduated from a number of programmes aimed at giving them skills to become employed or to become entrepreneurs.

These programmes, which ran from March 28 to May 17, were developed by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Taiwan Technical Mission under the Women’s Empowerment Initiative.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony on May 26 at the Kingstown Baptist Church, Director of Adult and Continuing Education, Kathleen Jeffers explained that the programmes under the Women’s Empowerment Project aim to, “develop our women as entrepreneurs, gain employment and include financial assistance for sustainability”.

She added that it was necessary for the project to be exclusive; it targets unemployed and vulnerable women.

The programmes offered under the project were: Beauty Therapy, Computer Skills and House Keeping.

Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education, Myccle Burke pointed out that the project comes at an appropriate time when “Women need to be empowered”, adding that, “education provides an avenue to display resilience and ensures development”.

Burke applauded the generosity of the Republic of China on Taiwan to St. Vincent and the Grenadines in developing its people through education.

Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Peter Sha-li Lan explained that the purpose of the Women’s Empowerment Programme, “Is to assist our friends here in

St. Vincent and the Grenadines, especially women, to face the challenge of COVID-19 and volcanic eruption.” He also pledged the continuing support of Taiwan on this initiative.

The guest speaker and owner of Bamboo Spa, Kathleen Wright congratulated the graduates on their achievement and encouraged them to maintain a balanced lifestyle and stay focused on their goals.