A PROJECT that is equipping unemployed and underemployed women with the practical skills they need to earn more income and become self-employed has the potential to transform the socio-economic landscape for households headed by women.
This from United Insurance Company Limited’s marketing manager Sharron Alleyne-Elcock, as United Insurance recently contributed $5 000 to the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) Sewing Project For The Economic Empowerment Of Women.
“United is pleased to be associated with a project that has the capacity to transform the socio-economic landscape for women and their households. We see our contribution not merely as a donation but an investment in the future careers and businesses of women, who [make up] a significant portion of United’s clientele,” Alleyne-Elcock said after the presentation at United’s Lower Broad Street Headquarters.
“With approximately 44 per cent of households in Barbados headed by women, and of the 12.7 per cent of households below the poverty line, 60 per cent of them headed by women, this project is of great importance, particularly in the current economic climate.”
The YWCA is coordinating the sewing project in association with the Lions Club of Christ Church West which is arming ten women from the Christ Church West area with the skills needed to generate income and become self-employed in the textile industry.
Components of the project include bed and table linen, cushions, pillows and drapery as well as business communications and business mathematics.
YWCA president Paige Bryan thanked United Insurance support of the sewing project. “United Insurance’s investment will go far in providing some of the resources these women need in order to generate income for themselves and in facilitating their self-employment.
“In the long term we hope to provide avenues through which their products can be sold, as well as assist them in the development of business plans and financial projections.”
The current round of training for women ends in early December with the YWCA working to ensure the long-term sustainability of the project. (PR)
