Republic of Mauritius- Women called upon to become economically empowered and achieve great potentials

He was addressing some 400 women at a half-day sensitisation workshop focusing on women’s economic empowerment through financial inclusion at the GyanAsha Venue in Montagne-Blanche.

Minister Sesungkur stated that the objective of the workshop is to raise awareness on the use of financial services in the everyday lives of the population, especially women who have an increasing important role in shaping the socio-economic cohesion of the country. He recalled the need to do away with perspectives and beliefs that treat women at par with men in the social, economic and political sphere. It is important for each and every one to have the right perspective on gender mainstreaming issues, he added.

Government, he said, is fully committed to support those women who want to be financially independent by creating countless opportunities in the various sectors especially that of woman entrepreneurship. According to him, some 23 % of women run their businesses but there is the need to increase this number in the years to come. A woman, he said, truly becomes economically empowered when she has the ability to make decisions concerning her life, especially with regard to financial matters.

The Minister stated that the workshop is in line with the initiative Nation des Investisseurs launched by his Ministry in a bid to transform Mauritius into an inclusive high income economy by focusing on financial inclusion through access to financial products and services; promotion of financial literacy; and implementation of consumer protection mechanisms.

He added that there exists a plethora of investment avenues for Mauritian investors, other than the traditional bank deposits, where they can choose the right investment vehicle from the available opportunities that suit their preferences. Each investment, he stated, has its own characteristic features and risks, and the investor has to align his objectives to them.

During the workshop, the participants were acquainted to various aspects ranging from finance, economic empowerment and woman entrepreneurship. Presentations were also made on the topics: Understanding financial inclusion and its importance; Financial and Grant schemes for entrepreneurs; Money management and investment; and Indentifying feasible projects for women’s economic empowerment.