UN Women Hands Over Equipment for Women Entrepreneurs under the Guyana Women's Innovation and Investment Network Programme

L-R Ms Yeşim Oruç, UN Resident Coordinator, Honourable Dr Vindhya Persaud - Minister of Human Services and Social Security, and Je'nille Maraj, UN Women Planning and Coordination Specialist. UN Women Photos/Trevor Smith

Georgetown, Guyana 3 November 2023: UN Women recently handed over sewing machines and freezers to the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security in Guyana to support women's economic empowerment. The equipment provided under the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative will be used as business support for women who aspire to become entrepreneurs.

The Guyana Women's Learning Institute is the lead agency for implementing programmes under the Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN), a Ministry-programme that empowers women and girls to become financially independent. The Institute also includes a business incubator for young women entrepreneurs.

Minister Persaud said 100 women recently completed training in garment construction and food preparation, representing a significant step in their journey towards economic self-sufficiency.

Je'nille Maraj, UN Women Planning and Coordination Specialist looks at some of the products on display at the business incubator. The products were made by women entrepreneurs.

Je'nille Maraj, UN Women Planning and Coordination Specialist emphasized UN Women’s commitment to the Ministry saying: “We are very happy to be supporting the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security to contribute to women’s sustainable income generation. Thank you so much Minister, for collaborating with us under the Spotlight Initiative. I would also like to thank the Resident Coordinator Ms Yeşim Oruç for her guidance, collaboration and coordination”.

The UN Resident Coordinator was among the delegation touring the Institute following a recent ministerial forum on gender equality and empowerment.

UN Women is committed to empowering women and girls through economic initiatives and works to create opportunities and remove barriers that hinder women's economic participation. Economic empowerment not only benefits individual women and their families but also contributes to broader economic growth and social progress. By addressing the economic disparities and challenges that women and girls face, UN Women plays a vital role in promoting a more inclusive and equitable world.

The Spotlight Initiative, which is set to conclude this year, is a programme funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations. It represents a substantial investment of Euro 500 million in the global effort to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.