240 Women from all across the country have received seed grants to start up their own businesses. This was an initiative done under the BA1 project- a regional effort geared towards the prevention of violence against women through empowerment. The project is an initiative led by the Government of Belize and BELTRAIDE in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration, the United Nations Population Fund, and the Central American Integration System. Originally over 300 women were taken up by the program and trained in business and life planning but only these 240 women graduated and are now being assisted with a $500 US dollar grant. Today they were honored with a symbolic handing over of the grant.
Judith Alpuche, CEO, Min. of Human Development
"This is one component or one activity of this project that has gone on for a bit more than a year now. We're on the last stages of it and it really focuses on economic empowerment for women. Economic empowerment is both a prevention and intervention strategy for gender based violence. The idea is and studies bear this out - that if women are financially stable, if they can stand on their own two feet, so to speak, they will be less vulnerable to being victims of gender based violence. And also it's an essential tool to help them to get out of situations."
Marcel Pisani, Regional Director, OIM
"They work at different levels. At policy levels, to strengthening the government but also to benefit directly the population. In this case, today we're gathering on regard to a process in which more than 300 women will receive seed funds to continue to strengthen or to start a small income generated activity."
Berta Cob, San Pedro Village, Corozal
"We learned a lot how to manage our family and time so that we can manage our business. Then the business plan, how to manage the money first, how we will spend and how we will get our income. We have a sewing group, but my business is an embroidery business, embroidery and designs. So I will be working with it and my group is the sewing group. We'll do everything."
Emanuel Pech
"Do you feel a sense of empowerment now that you're able to stand on your own two feet?"
Berta Cob
"Yes I know I can stand on my own and I can work even if I have my children"
Shadine Estrada, Seine Bight Village, Stann Creek
"Well it's unbelievable but it's happening and well now I've already started building my place and it's finished. I painted it, I paid some people who painted it and I helped them also because I want to say I help paint my place. Soon I'll be opening the next couple months from now, I'll be opening my cosmetics store, everything for your hair is right there. Thanks to my teachers, my friends, and everyone that motivated me. The achievement I have is that I'm going to own my own business now, I don't need to work for no one. I'm young, no kids, single but at least I have something that I have for me that I don't need to depend on anyone else but myself. I feel like it's me."
The grants handed out by the program total some US $340 thousand dollars in seed capital. The project has taken place in six other countries and reaching out to over 3,500 women - Belize's 250 included.
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