Support for women to convert skills into viable enterprises

The Human Services and Social Security Ministry has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED) to enhance financial literacy and business support for women across the country.

The agreement, signed earlier this week at the Ministry’s head office, will provide technical assistance, mentorship, business training, and financing support to participants of the Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) programme.

“This Memorandum of Understanding will significantly empower participants of the WIIN programme, enabling them to further pursue and achieve their goals,” Deputy Permanent Secretary Arianna Beharry said at the signing ceremony. “We deeply value this partnership with IPED, as it complements the Ministry’s aim of economic empowerment.”

The WIIN initiative, led by the Ministry, offers training in areas such as garment construction, child and elderly care, event management, design and décor, and marketing. With the new agreement, graduates will gain access to targeted business support to help convert their skills into viable enterprises.

IPED Chief Executive Officer Jagdesh Haripershad said the partnership aligns with IPED’s national development mission.

“This partnership aims to empower women by enhancing their entrepreneurial capacity and improving their livelihoods through targeted support and financial services,” Haripershad said. “IPED’s vision and mission align closely with that of the ministry, making this collaboration a natural and powerful step toward social and economic transformation.”

Since its launch, the WIIN programme has trained more than 17,000 women, with nearly 1,000 starting businesses and around 400 business plans developed, according to the ministry.

The collaboration reflects a broader effort to support grassroots entrepreneurship and women’s economic participation in national development.