Women as pillars of economic diversification

This was revealed by the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs (MLHA), Peter Siele, when officiating at the exposition at Boipuso Hall on Wednesday evening. He said the exhibition was first piloted on a small scale between 1998 and 1999 and was scaled up to a national event in 2000.   Siele said the exposition has the potential to transform women entrepreneurs into an active and productive resource, which equally plays a pivotal role in socio-economic development. This, however, could only be achieved when the necessary tools and stimuli are in place.  He said MLHA has introduced targeted programmes such as provision of grants to poor but self-driven women to start income generating ventures.

"The Ministry also facilitates capacity building and training of these women in various aspects of their lives," Siele said. "This exposition also forms part of my Ministry's effort to integrate women into the trade sphere."