The Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs has spent P9.8 million on income generating projects under the poverty eradication programme.

The amount was spent on 1 053 beneficiaries from 249 villages to start their own projects. 

Officially opening the first Northern Women’s Exposition in Francistown on  August 8, the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Mr Edwin Batshu said the programme has restored the dignity of the beneficiaries, particularly the unemployed and poor.  

He implored women entrepreneurs to explore the diverse business avenues and seize every opportunity that could enhance their businesses.

In addition, he highlighted that while the government is being encouraged by the current positive trend regarding women’s entrepreneurship development, they are still challenged to search for more effective means to assist women to market their products. 

He said the pressing challenge for all nations is to maintain vibrant economies and regulate stressors resulting from social responsibility programmes. 

The minister said harnessing and unleashing women’s full potential as significant players in community and national efforts to develop stronger economies is important. 

The ministry, he said, has taken a deliberate move to cast the net wider and conduct regional women’s exposition in order to offer women entrepreneurs opportunity to market their products as well as to network and forge partnerships.

The exposition was held under the theme ‘Empowering women entrepreneurs, key to sustainable economic development.’  ENDS