The training exercise was part of activities being implemented under a European Commission-funded project for promoting women’s socio-economic rights in the Central River Region.
During the latest training of 45 women in Dankunku village in the Central River region, the women were taught entrepreneurship skills, separating the business from the proprietor and the extended family, basic marketing concepts, bookkeeping and accounting, business expenses, among others.
“I have learnt a lot during the past three days. I am confident that when I go back home, I will improve on the way I run my business,” said Binta who sells food items at the Dankunku market.
“I have learnt that one has to be approachable to attract customers and employ effective marketing skills to get the customer to buy something,” said Hawa Mbye from Choya, whilst Fatou Fatty from Dankunku emphasized that good accounting practice makes good business.
In welcoming the trainees, Almamo Barrow, representing the Executive Director of ActionAid, thanked the EC for funding this project and re-iterated that the empowerment of women was a major component of ActionAid’s work.
“This training that you are undergoing aims to inculcate business management skills in you so that you can manage your businesses effectively and efficiently,” he said.
The trainer, Alaji Jatta from the Department of Community Development, urged the women to take the training seriously and to share the knowledge acquired.
At the closing ceremony, ActionAid’s Senior Manager for Communications, Jainaba Nyang Njie, on behalf of the Executive Director, expressed optimism that the women would put what they have learnt into practice.
This project that they have signed with the EU aims to empower women in the Niaminas to have access to economic resources, particularly land, be aware of their rights, and acquire life skills they could use in order to alleviate poverty, she said.
She urged them to share the knowledge acquired with other women who could not attend the training session.
The project coordinator, Pansaw Nyassi and LRP11 programme coordinator, Francois Nsally, also spoke at the closing ceremony, and commended the women for their active participation.
