On Thursday January 24th and Friday January 25th, 2019, twenty-six (26) women from mainly the north and northeast regions of Dominica involved in agro-processing, agri-business and agriculture gathered at the Atlantique View Resort and Spa in Anse De Mai for a Women International Leaders Empowerment Training organized by the National Development Foundation of Dominica Ltd.

The theme for the training was “Empowering Women by Creating Linkages” and the purpose was to provide practical knowledge and skills in the field of packaging, marketing, and entrepreneurial development.

Presentations were done by Ms. Diana Henry-Laville and Mr. Revillius St. Rose of the Division of Agriculture on Practical Agricultural Solutions; Mrs. Sharon Vidal-Francis from the NDFD on Small Business Management; Ms. Keisha Joseph of the Dominica Bureau of Standards on Labelling and Packaging and Mr. Kent Coipel of Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) on opportunities for women.

Remarks were presented by NDFD’s Executive Director, Mr. Cletus Joseph and Ms. Mellisa Morgan from the Bureau of Gender Affairs. One local supermarket owner also gave information on what is expected from clients in terms of quality, presentation and labelling in order for items to be placed on shelves and one successful woman entrepreneur gave a testimony.

The two-day session was well received by the participants as they continue to make differences at home, at work, and within their community.