The Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation, through its Directorate of Gender Affairs, held its inaugural ‘Access to Finance and Empowerment Fair’, a product of the Gender and Private Sector Initiative, with more than 60 individuals taking advantage of the opportunity to connect with financial and insurance institutions.

The event, held under the Directorate’s Economic Empowerment Portfolio, brought together 11 stakeholders from various financial and insurance institutions at the Multi-Purpose Cultural Centre today (July 16).

Executive Director of the Directorate of Gender Affairs, Jamie Saunders delivered opening remarks at the fair, stating that economic pressures have varying effects on different groups—women, youth and persons with disabilities) and noted that the fair offered an opportunity for the public to connect with financial institutions and the private sector to receive tailored loans, grants and insurance plans.

“The private sector has a critical and indispensable role to play in ensuring that we can achieve equality,” he said.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation Hon. Kiz Johnson stressed that economic empowerment is central to individual dignity, security and generational wealth.

“It is about building knowledge, creating connections and ensuring that you are better equipped to make informed financial decisions,” the Minister remarked.

Minister Johnson noted that with the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in November, this fair offered the one of the first opportunities to break down persistent barriers to women accessing capital and advance the ‘care economy’—financially recognizing the unpaid labour women in domestic/caregiving settings.

“We understand that meaningful development requires a people centred and gender responsive approach…when we are talking about gender, we are not just talking about females, but youth, the elderly and persons with disabilities,” she said.

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation, Sarah Stuart said the Ministry was committed to improving financial literacy, entrepreneurship support and building public-private partnerships that ensure equitable access to economic empowerment—a key pillar of sustainable development.

“It is my hope that today’s fair will not simply be an opportunity to exchange information, but it will lead to meaningful connections, financial confidence and tangible outcomes that empower individuals and families for generations to come,” Permanent Secretary Stuart emphasized.

The event began with a four-member panel discussion with representatives for each major stakeholder.

Mrs. Tamalyn Vyphuis-Williams, Credit Manager at the St John’s Cooperative Credit Union along with Mrs. Sharon Williams-Potter, Manager of Small Business at the Eastern Caribbean Amalgamated Bank, addressed the public on the financial opportunities available for individuals at the relevant companies along with what the institutions assess before issuing loan applications.

Ms. Elease Richardson, Manager of Salient Insurance and Unit Manager at Pan American Insurance addressed issues such as insurance being a financial asset, not just protection, noting that buying the right insurance plan early on places a person in a better financial position for things like mortgage approvals—before age and health-related issues make it harder to qualify.

Director Saunders, who sat on the panel raised ideas to improve government and financial institution collaboration to help bridge the affordability gap in financial lending.

When asked about the event, Project Officer in charge of the Gender and Private Sector Initiative Ashlea Ambris said that “economic empowerment begins with access to available opportunities.”

Inaugural ‘Access to Finance and Empowerment Fair

“This fair was designed to connect people with the resources, information, and partnerships they need to grow their businesses, strengthen their financial resilience, and unlock their full potential,” she said, adding that the Directorate is “grateful and encouraged by the level of participation and collaboration demonstrated by all our stakeholders. We are proud of the impact and look forward to building on this momentum.”

Director Saunders noted that “today’s Gender and Private Sector Initiative was a strong step in the Directorate of Gender Affairs efforts to foster stronger collaboration between government and the private sector, to promote economic inclusion and empowerment for all,” he said.

He added that the Directorate remains committed to continuing these efforts and thanks all the private sector partners who participated and members of the public who participated.

The Directorate of Gender Affairs, under the Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation, continues to promote gender equality through policy programming geared towards the economic empowerment of all persons in Antigua and Barbuda in partnership with private sector.