With over 21,000 women trained by WIIN, 460 women to showcase at WeLift 6

More than 21,000 women across Guyana have been trained through the Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) programme, according to Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr. Vindhya Persaud.

Persaud made the announcement Wednesday while addressing participants at the Guyana Women & Girls Summit (GWAGS) 2026.

The initiative provides free training to women across all ten administrative regions, helping them launch businesses and improve economic independence.

“Twenty-one thousand women would have been trained at no cost through this programme,” Persaud said.

She explained that the programme targets women who may have missed traditional educational opportunities or felt excluded from economic growth.

As a result of the initiative, Persaud said hundreds of women are now running businesses and employing others.

The Minister revealed that 460 women-owned businesses will be showcased at an upcoming “We Lift” event at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre staring on Friday March 06.

The government has also launched a digital platform to promote women entrepreneurs.

According to Persaud, the WIN mobile application already advertises more than 1,500 women-owned businesses, helping connect them with customers and markets.

She said the government plans to further expand the programme by introducing paperless financial transactions and additional support for female entrepreneurs.

The initiative is part of broader efforts to ensure women play a central role in Guyana’s economic transformation.

“Women must not see development as separate from who they are or what they can achieve,” Persaud said.